In a bid to give a boost to the state's tourism sector, Jammu and Kashmir Government will lay the foundation of Mubarak-Bahu Fort cable car project next week.
The project in Jammu region will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by the end of this month, state Tourism Minister G A Mir said last evening while replying to the discussion on demand of grants for the tourism department in the House.
The cable car project is expected to give a shot in the arm to the tourism sector, which is a vital part of the state's economy, the minister said.
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According to Mir, the government has launched a "vigorous promotional and publicity campaign in length and breadth of the state" to attract more tourists this year as compared to previous years.
He said the state tourism department has fixed a target to ensure 5 per cent growth each year and he urged for maintaining peace and tranquillity in the state for the same.
Tourist influx, which was just 40,000 in 2008, has increased to 1.10 crore last year, he said, adding, 98 per cent of the total comprised domestic tourists including visitors from Gujarat, Ahmadabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Tamil Nadu and the rest included foreign tourists.
Dispelling the notion that the government was particular about attracting foreign tourists only, he said tourism department along with representatives of all stakeholders including members of travel and tour, hoteliers, conducted whirlwind tour to various areas over the country to attract tourists to the state.
The minister said the government with Centre's assistance has embarked upon an ambitious plan to train about 25,000 youth of the state to create skilled manpower for the industry.
