Development of requisite tourist infrastructure in consonance with environmental requirements is necessary to restore tourism glory of Jammu and Kashmir and make world famous resorts like Gulmarg round the year tourist attraction, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said.

"Comfortable accommodation and best service delivery act as driving force to attract visitors to come again and again and enjoy the hospitality of the people and the natural beauty," Omar said inaugurating a modern tourist facility created in the private sector at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, 55 kms from here.

"The Khyber", an 85-room five star luxury hotel with hi-tech modern facilities is spread over seven Fir-laden acres and has been designed in the local Kashmiri architecture with luxury furniture, furnishings and fixtures.

The Chief Minister said his government has concentrated on holistic development of tourism making eco-tourism fulcrum in the creation of new facilities and upgrading the existing ones. "The natural beauty is God’s gift to the state and tourism is the key sector to catapult economy and generate jobs for people round the year," he said adding, it is imperative to maintain and conserve this natural beauty and bio-diversity of the state for present and next generations.

Chief minister also said the way army is extending its boundaries is a threat to tourist resorts. “The way army is extend¬ing its boundaries is a threat for the famous tourist resorts. The flow of tourists is increasing with every passing year and we do not have Taj Mahal and Qutab Minar to show tourists. Our tourism is natural beauty which needs to be preserved,” he said.

Omar accused army of occupying tourist spots “unnecessarily” and asked them to remain confined to the places only which are sensitive. “Army is creeping in Gulmarg and this is the problem and can led to the confrontation between us and them,” he said.

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