Jammu and Kashmir government today said it is focusing on making the stay of tourists memorable, instead of targeting increase in the number of tourist arrivals.
"The numbers (tourist arrivals) is not our target. We want a good tourist season and our focus is, tourists should get a good taste of Kashmir," Tourism Minister G A Mir told reporters here on the sidelines of the inaugural ceremony of 15-day mega Kashmir festival.
The government is looking forward to such a season where, those connected with the tourism industry are benefited, he said.
"At the end of the year, we want to hear from the people dependent on tourism that they have benefited from the season," he said.
The fortnight-long maiden tourism festival kick started at 'Kashmir Haat' here.
"Main aim of this festival is to provide impetus to tourism in the Valley and offer a different perspective of Kashmir to the tourists," Mir said adding that the festival will also provide an opportunity to link the new generation with the rich cultural heritage of the state.
The festival will be held at different tourist destinations in the Valley and is being jointly funded by the Centre and state governments.
Mir, along with Union Tourism Secretary Pervez Dewan, went round stalls set up by various departments and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements.
