“We have seen a total positive atmosphere here in the Valley right from the airport. Till now in these 20 years (since the militancy broke out in Kashmir), no untoward incident has happened with any tourist in Kashmir. They remained safe here, feel safe and it is safe here,” Satish Shah of Pooja Holidays Mumbai told PTI here.
Shah was part of a 25-member delegation of tour operators on a Familiarisation tour of the Valley on the invitation of the Department of Tourism, Kashmir.
During their stay of four days in Kashmir, the tour operators visited many famous places of the Valley, including Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Srinagar to assess the situation after months of unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in July.
Shah said people outside the state were worried because of the situation but the tour operators would now assure them that the place was safe for the tourists.
“They are a little worried because of what we get to hear from the media. However, we will assure them that it is totally safe here and there is no comparison whatsoever of the hospitality here. Now, we have to bring back that flow of tourists which was broken because of the situation. We have to bring back the tourists to the heaven on earth,” he said.
Shah said no other destination in the world is like Kashmir.
“The tourists must come here. I have visited many places around the globe. This is a much better place than Switzerland. What you cannot enjoy there even after spending Rupees three Lakh, you can here enjoy by just spending around Rs 25-30 thousand.
“We are taking this message that this heaven is totally safe and there is no problem and the people here are waiting to welcome you. There is no destination like Kashmir, not only in India but in the whole world,” he said.
The tour operator said Kashmir was their most favoured destination and they would promote it with full dedication.
They have even started an exclusive Kashmir-themed office in Mumbai to attract the intending visitors.
“Almost 50 per cent of our yearly turnover is of Kashmir, but the place is not just our bread and butter, it is our life. For the first time in Mumbai, we recently opened a new office for Kashmir only which has an exclusive Kashmir gallery where various famous places of the Valley are being promoted,” he said. .
PTI