Suhasini Gupta
Besides these tourist spots in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, the famous tourist destinations in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are Patnitop, Nathatop, Mantalai, Mansar, Pahalgam, Verinag, Betaab valley, Sonamarg, Shankaracharya temple, Hazratbal, Pari Mahal, Wular Lake, Shanti Stupa, Deskit Monastery etc.
The tertiary sector commonly known as service sector is an important sector which plays a great role in the economic development of J&K. This sector includes subsectors like Trade, Hotels and Restaurants, Transport, Storage and Communication, Banking and Insurance, Real estate, Ownership dwellings and business services’, Public administration . Tourism has played an important role for developing the economy particularly of Kashmir and Ladakh. As tourism is a labour-intensive industry, it has resulted in job creation and generated a lot of economic activities in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors in the state. Visitors spending generate income for both public and private sectors besides effecting wages and employment opportunities. Entry fee is charged from tourists if they want to explore the beauty of Cashmashahi, Verinag garden, Mughal Gardens etc which is the source of revenue for the government.’
There are various problem of tourism industry in J&K like Poor road connectivity and transportation facilities , lack of basic hygienic amenities at halting point, communication gaps, untrained guides etc. The privatization of tourism sector can help to fill the gap by providing efficient and highly skilled manpower and develop the necessary infrastructure to exploit the booming tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir has a tremendous potential to become a major global tourist destination. Importance of tourism in J&K economy is known for decades now. Tourism in J&K is a multi -segmental industry by providing different types of jobs like hotel managers, guides, tour operators, chefs etc which further strengthens the J and K economy by increasing income and standard of living of the people. Tourism acts as a catalyst in the development of backward and far flung regions of a particular area. Same is the case of J&K where tourists are attracted towards the areas which are located in remote regions of state like Lolab and Bangus valley in Kupwara, Suru valley in kargil, Daksum valley in Anantnag, Gurez valley in Baramulla, which are known for their scenic beauty and charming climate and for greater tourist potential than those offered by famous destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Mughal gardens among the likewise. Tourists visiting such unexplored attractive spots can give boost to the economic condition of the residents by promoting local art like Handicrafts, Handlooms, Cricket bat industry and Ayurveda. It has been estimated that handicrafts (Wood carving, Pashmina shawl) in J&K generate a revenue of more than Rs.1000cr with about 4-5 lakh artisans being employed in this sector (J&K Economic survey). There are many factors responsible for the huge potential of tourism in J and K like J and K is well known destination for its great hospitality, rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. J&K is a suitable destination for several other types of tourism which are yet to be exploited like Adventure tourism, Medical tourism, Eco-tourism, Polo tourism and Leisure tourism. Handicrafts of J and K like pashmina shawl and paper mache is famous in the whole world. J and K is also well known for its Cricket bat industry. So, more and more areas should be explored as tourist spots which will help the Government in earning revenue which will ultimately help in development of J and K. Moreover, tourism will help in development of better infrastructure and thereby leading to more tourism related activities.
(The writer is a student of M.Sc. Economics in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra)
(Concluded)