Addressing the 3-day 9th Annual Convention of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) at SKICC in Srinagar, the Chief Minister said that the concept of relating tourism activities with the normalcy needed to be changed and tourism regarded as a sheer economic activity.

Omar said that J&K possesses vast potential of adventure tourism which is gaining popularity and momentum globally over the conventional tourism. “Our mountains and rivers are great gifts of God and these offer unique and wide-ranging adventure interests for truckers, mountaineers, river-rafters, para-gliders, skiers and others”, he said adding that the danger attributed to these activities is simply a misgiving.

 “The lovers of adventure sports undertake these activities in a safe mode and the graph of its popularity is steadily on upward trend”, he said, adding that the challenge before the State is to showcase this potential of the State in a befitting manner. He said the concerned department should also produce generation of trained personnel and guides in this field. The Chief Minister said that ATOAI can help the State move forward in this direction and train local youth. 

According to an official statement, he said that the State has also to concentrate on improving and upgrading capacities besides raising necessary infrastructure. He said that the local people associated with tourism especially the youth are required to learn from such conferences, understand the requirements and necessities of adventure tourism and also display their views regarding this activity.

Omar said that the adventure tourism in the State can be harnessed in a big way to generate jobs and give boost to the economy across the State. He underlined the need for joint efforts by all the stakeholders to nurture this economically viable venture and open vistas for progress and development in the State.

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