Gurez emerging as a tourist destination: CM Omar Abdullah

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that Gurez valley has recently gained significant recognition as a tourist destination and Tourism department would assess the need for establishing a Tourism Development Authority for Gurez.

Responding to a question by member Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, the Chief Minister informed the House that Gurez Valley in Jammu and Kashmir has recently been in the spotlight as a tourist destination. “In 2022, Gurez Valley received the ‘Best Offbeat Destination’ award, emphasizing its appeal as a unique and emerging tourist spot,” he said.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Tourism Minister, further stated that in September 2023, Dawar village in Gurez was honored with the ‘Best Tourism Village’ award in the Gold category by the Union Ministry of Tourism.

“This accolade highlights the village’s cultural richness and tourism potential,” he informed the Legislative Assembly. To promote Gurez as a new tourist destination, he added, the Department of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir, has taken several initiatives, and in 2024, commercial rafting was started in Gurez for the first time ever.

Besides, during the current financial year, the Department of Tourism, J&K, has projected the upgradation of Gurez as an offbeat destination under the current year Capex Budget (2024-25), the Chief Minister stated in his reply.