Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government is displaying a discriminatory and indifferent attitude towards the tourism potential of the Jammu region, said BJP J&K Media Incharge Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, adding that its failure to promote balanced tourism has deprived thousands of local youth of employment and economic opportunities.
Dr. Pardeep said that while the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra brings lakhs of devotees to Jammu & Kashmir, the NC government has failed to convert this massive footfall into year-round tourism across the Union Territory. The Amarnath Yatra should be the seed that grows into a mighty banyan tree of sustained tourism, attracting visitors to every district of Jammu & Kashmir throughout the year. Unfortunately, the present government lacks both the vision and the intent to achieve this, he said.
"The Tourism Department exists for all twenty districts of Jammu & Kashmir, not for a select few destinations. Every tourist should be aesthetically inspired and professionally guided to extend their stay, explore the rich diversity of Jammu and Kashmir, and leave with a desire to return again," said Dr. Pardeep, while stating that Jammu is being unfairly reduced to a mere transit corridor for pilgrims instead of being promoted as a destination in its own right.
Dr. Pardeep said the Jammu region possesses immense potential in spiritual, heritage, adventure, border, eco and cultural tourism, with destinations and experiences capable of attracting national and international visitors. Yet, these assets continue to suffer from poor promotion, inadequate infrastructure and administrative neglect because of the NC government's callous approach.
Dr. Pardeep emphasized that tourism must no longer be treated as a seasonal activity but as a full-fledged industry capable of generating large-scale employment, encouraging entrepreneurship, preserving local culture and accelerating economic growth. The NC government has miserably failed to evolve a comprehensive tourism policy despite immense opportunities and the strong infrastructure push provided by the Narendra Modi-led Union Government, he said.
Calling for immediate corrective measures, Dr. Pardeep asked the government to formulate a district-specific tourism development strategy, aggressively market Jammu's tourism potential across the country, strengthen connectivity and visitor facilities, promote Dogra heritage, border tourism, adventure sports and homestays, and ensure balanced tourism development across both Jammu and Kashmir.
"The Modi government has created an enabling environment through unprecedented investments in connectivity, infrastructure and security. The NC government must now abandon its politics of regional neglect and work towards making every district of Jammu & Kashmir a vibrant tourism destination. Balanced tourism is not merely an economic necessity, it is a commitment to equitable development and justice for every region of the Union Territory," Dr. Pardeep added.