LG Manoj Sinha Calls J&K a Global Tourism Beacon at UT Tourism Secretaries’ Meet
Srinagar, KNT: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday addressed the Tourism Secretaries’ Meet of Union Territories in Srinagar, underlining Jammu and Kashmir’s transformational journey from conflict to peace, and from obscurity to becoming a preferred global tourism destination. The event was also attended by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, UT administrations, and other stakeholders.
Delivering the keynote address, the Lieutenant Governor declared that the very holding of such a conference in Srinagar stands as a symbolic and powerful response to militancy. “This gathering is a befitting reply to terrorism and a testament to Jammu and Kashmir’s march towards peace, progress, and prosperity,” he asserted. He credited the transformation to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that Jammu and Kashmir had become an “unstoppable force.”
Describing Jammu and Kashmir as “a living canvas of natural beauty, spirituality, and serenity,” Sinha hailed the region’s natural grandeur — snow-covered peaks, pristine lakes, apple orchards, temples, and meadows — as matchless treasures that continue to enchant visitors.
The Lieutenant Governor outlined his administration’s multi-pronged efforts to strengthen traditional tourism circuits and expand the sector’s geographical footprint, ensuring its benefits reach the most remote corners of the Union Territory. He praised the role of the people of J&K, saying their warmth and hospitality had made the region “a truly fascinating destination for domestic and international tourists alike.”
Referring to the successful G20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Srinagar, Sinha described it as a historic milestone in projecting Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism potential to the world. “It helped build the brand ‘J&K’ on the global stage,” he said, pointing out that the region has since hosted several high-profile national and international events, drawing attention to its readiness for luxury tourism, film shoots, cultural festivals, and global engagements.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism, the LG highlighted the SPREAD initiative—Strategic Promotion and Revamping of Emerging Alternate Destinations. The aim, he said, is to divert tourist flow from overcrowded locations and promote nine emerging destinations, placing them on both national and international tourism maps. These efforts are expected to generate at least 5 lakh direct jobs in the first year alone and attract high-value visitors.
Additionally, Sinha announced that the government is actively exploring the possibility of constructing a two-phase ropeway to Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine, which would significantly aid elderly pilgrims and persons with disabilities.
Underscoring the link between peace and development, the LG asserted that sustainable growth of the tourism sector is only possible in a peaceful and secure environment. While acknowledging the role of security forces in curbing militancy, he stressed that societal responsibility is equally important.
“Terrorists attempt to draw sustenance from the very society they seek to harm. That support base must be dismantled,” he said. Sinha praised the growing public resistance to militancy, noting how street protests against Pakistan-backed militants are now becoming more frequent — a development he described as “a promising sign for permanent peace.”
“Jammu and Kashmir must collectively ensure that terrorism has no space in this beautiful land,” he concluded.
Also present at the conference were Union Tourism Secretary V. Vidyavathi, Additional Secretary & DG Tourism Suman Billa, Senior Economic Advisor Gyan Bhushan, and Joint Secretary MHA Praveen Kumar Rai, alongside UT tourism secretaries, experts, and industry stakeholders. [KNT]
