Tourist inflow to increase in J&K

With the overall law and order situation improving in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the state is poised to attract over 1000,000 tourists after a gap of many years.

Its turnover from export of handicrafts, sports and leather goods are also expected to exceed Rs 1,500 crore in 2007-08 as against Rs 1,150 crore in 2006-07. This was stated by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).

In a vision paper being prepared by Assocham on J&K, preliminary findings reveal, that in fiscal 2006-07, about 600,000 tourists visited the valley. However, about 2000,000 tourists have already visited the state in the last few years. According to the chamber, the trend will continue and number of tourists will exceed a 1000,000 by end of March next year.

The industry chamber is of the view that given the present infrastructure, their may not be any problem in accommodating the tourist arrivals this summer.

"With better law and order situation, industrial activities have started commencing and this has reflected particularly in exports of various Kashmiri goods such as handicrafts, sports goods, walnuts, wooden furniture, leather goods, software, silk and its products. The annual turnover in 2005 was Rs 900 crore which shot up by Rs 250 crore in the following year and is expected to exceed Rs 1,500 crore by the end of the current fiscal," Venugopal N Dhoot, president, Assocham, said.