20 million tourists expected to visit J&K this year: Reddy
Srinagar: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Monday that the government of India will soon declare a national tourism policy and is also planning a global tourism investment summit.
He, along with Union minister Jitendra Singh and India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, was addressing a press conference at SKICC here after the culmination of a side event on ‘Film Tourism for Economic and Cultural Preservation’ as part of the three-day third Tourism Working Group Meeting of the G20.
“We are going to soon declare national tourism policy for India. We are planning global tourism investment summit,” Reddy, the minister for Culture and Tourism, said.
He said the Centre is allowing 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in tourism.
“Our idea is that without private investment, we cannot become a global destination,” he added.
Reddy said the Union government and the Ministry of Tourism are closely working with all the ministries and the state governments to encourage tourism.
“The government of India is also working with all the G20 countries and invited countries for developing sustainable tourism,” he added.
Reddy said there is a tremendous scope for promoting spiritual tourism in J&K.
He also said that in the ensuing year, the J&K UT expects to see 20 million tourist arrivals and that the Government of India (GoI) is also encouraging 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for world-class Tourism infrastructure.
“In the year 2022, 1.84 Crore tourists visited J&K and this year, we expect around 20 million tourist arrivals including foreign guests,” Reddy told reporters after receiving the 61 guests from G-20 countries at the SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake.
He said that India is also mulling for 100 percent FDI for world-class Tourism infrastructure across the country with a special focus on J&K, adding that foreign tourist arrivals have increased in Kashmir and the number is set to go high.
“The G-20 events are being held across the country and it is matter of great pride for Srinagar to host such a mega event. The event will surely pay back in the form of rise in the tourist influx,” the Union Minister said.
“This is just the beginning as India is all set to host the Global Tourism Investment Summit. Discussions are underway with all the States and UTs and the event will be held shortly,” he said. “National Tourism Policy is also in the offing and discussions are on with the State governments and Stakeholders.” (Agencies)