‘Travel Advisories mar Kashmir tourism industry’

“Our state despite all its physical beauty is not the top tourism destination across India and the reason is that we are lagging behind in certain areas such as infrastructure and lack of professional Starting from a small time travel agent to a national tourism award winner, Managing Director, Centre Tour and Travels Bashir Ahmad Karnai states travel advisories to Kashmir by some foreign countries are hindering growth of tourism in the Valley. Karnai who was recently awarded national tourism award for being among leading travel agents of India who…

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Falling Prices spell trouble for walnut industry

In this bustling village on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway, dozens of walnut kernel traders are a worried a lot these days due to falling prices this year. Traders said the prices had decreased by at least half compared to last year after India allowed imports from other countries, including the US, China and West Asia. The J&K Government said it was a serious issue and it would take it up with the Central Government. “We have the best quality walnut as it is organic. That was the reason we had high…

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CM to promote Aru as Lavender Village

Chief Minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, Friday morning took a quick round of Pahalgam resort to take a firsthand appraisal of works on the ongoing projects related to tourism and other sectors, an official statement said. According to the statement, the CM visited the Circular Road, which has recently been macadamised, and various parks maintained and developed by Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) and the Floriculture, Gardens & Parks Department. Secretary Tourism, Farooq A. Shah, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Muneer-ul-Islam, CEO PDA, Riyaz Ahmad, besides several other senior officers accompanied the Chief Minister.…

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Taj Group, Indigo airlines organize FAM Tour to Valley

Taj Group and Indigo airlines arranged yet another Familiarization ‘FAM Tour’ to the Valley. This time the tour operators and travel agents were majorly from Mumbai and other western region which is a major potential market for the valley. During their stay at Vivanta by Taj Dalview Srinagar from Sep 29 to Oct 1, the group visited SKICC to understand the MICE opportunities in Kashmir, where a complete product brief was given about the convention Centre. The group also did a show around of the RSGC to promote golf tourism…

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Tourist slump due to negative publicity: Altaf

Minister for R&B, Altaf Bukhari Sunday said the tourist arrivals have declined in Kashmir mainly due to negative media coverage. “I must admit that media failed us as far as tourism is concerned,” he said speaking at the World Tourism Day celebrated at SKICC here. Bukhari, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the tourist arrivals witnessed a decline in Kashmir due to negative publicity of various events. “If something is happening on Line of Control 200 kilometers away from Srinagar that is shown as if the entire…

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World Tourism Day celebrated at Patnitop

Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh visited Patnitop and participated in the function organized by the Tourism Department regarding the celebration of World Tourism Day. Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh was the chief guest on the occasion Programme was attended by MLA Chenani, Dina Nath Bhagat, MLA Ramban, Neelam Langeh DC Udhampur Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director Tourism, Jammu, R. K. Verma, ADDC Udhampur, Arvind Sharma, SSP Udhampur. Suleman Choudhary, CEO, Patnitop Development Authority, Rakesh Sarngal, CEOs of Bhdaderwah and Kishtwar Development Authorities and other senior officers of the…

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Non-local population crosses 6 lacs in Kashmir

From masons to beggars, they’re all ‘imported’ Kashmir is fast losing its local skilled and unskilled resources as thousands of migrant workers are replacing its indigenous manpower. These non local workers have been coming to Kashmir since decades and the trend is rising day by day. As per census 2011, Valley’s population has increased to around 70 lakh and government estimates put non-local population around 5-6 lakhs. It means that for every 14 locals, there is one non-local in Kashmir. “Right from north to south, they have marked their presence…

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Rain affects harvesting season in Kashmir

Incessant rainfall since Monday night has marred the harvesting season in Kashmir with farmers worried over the damage to their crops. “It was a nice season so far. We were almost done with harvesting of the paddy crop. Now this rain will not only delay the process but also damage the harvest,” said a farmer at Narbal in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. The Met department has predicted light to moderate rainfall during next 24 hours.

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Tourist arrivals in Kashmir this year below expectations : CM

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said tourist arrivals to the state this year have been below expectations and called upon the national media to change the negative perception which has plagued the state. “Tourist arrivals this year have been below expectations. Tourism has to brace up for bigger challenges ahead. I seek cooperation from the national media in changing the negative perception which has plagued Kashmir for quite some time,” Sayeed said after the stone-laying ceremony to launch Hotel Nedou’s in a new avatar of ITC…

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Markets abuzz with shoppers ahead of Eid-ul-Adha

Shoppers thronged city markets ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha festival, which will be celebrated later this week. Sale of sacrificial animals and merchandise has gone up as the festival is coming closer. The city’s markets are witnessing an increased rush as shoppers are flocking to buy merchandise ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha. Sheep and goat sale points, which have sprouted across the city, are also attracting huge crowds. A major market for the sale of sacrificial animals has come up at Eid Gah in the old city where hundreds of sheep and…

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