Kashmir Economic Forum (KEF) Thursday said peace was important for the revival and promotion of tourism industry in the state especially in the Kashmir Valley.
In a statement, KEF said the state government has to play a vital role in sustaining normalcy and peace in Kashmir. “It (the state government) must impress upon the central government to start meaningful talks on regular basis on Kashmir with stakeholders.”
The KEF said though Hurriyat statement (in which it had invited tourists to Kashmir) is a welcome step, “only the sustained dialogue process to find resolution to Kashmir would help attract tourists.”
KEF Chairman Showkat Chowdhary said for tourism to survive, peaceful environment is necessary. “Though other sectors of economy including the transport are reviving, for tourism industry genuine peace is mandatory.”
“Tourism industry will have to wait at least for next peaceful summer for business. The hotels have almost zero occupancy at present. The travel agents and hoteliers will now move outside the state to convince tourists to visit Kashmir. They would only come if they realize that sincere dialogue process is going on in Kashmir,” said Chowdhary.
KEF said tourism industry was the first hit due to disturbance and would be the last to revive.
While hailing Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is also tourism minister, secretary tourism Farooq Shah, Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah for their efforts to revive tourism, he said the government “has to play bigger role in bringing all stakeholders on the round table for dialogue.”
“The CM got less time to visit outside the state for tourism promotion. We hope she shall make fresh efforts to convince tourists to visit Kashmir. Besides, we have high hopes with Farooq Shah who along with his Director Tourism may promote tourism in a big way,” said Chowdhary.
KEF welcomed the scheduled second visit of a delegation led by former union external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha to Kashmir on December 10.
“The track II talks are a welcome step but GoI should also start track I talks for the resolution of Kashmir issue,” he said. KEF also hailed rescheduling of loans.
