Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday related economic welfare of the state to the development of tourism, asserting that boost to tourism would create more direct and indirect jobs and also trigger better development.

Addressing a meeting of the tourism officials here, Abdullah noted that the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage crossed 10 million mark in a calendar year Wednesday, and asked the tourism and other departments to divert the pilgrims to other places of tourist interest across the state.

According to officials, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage alone annually generates Rs.2,000 crore for the state while the tourists visiting the valley contribute Rs.1,000 crore. This year, nearly two million tourists, including Amarnath pilgrims, visited Kashmir region.

'It's important that we focus our attention on tourism in a big way and offer a very hospitable environment to the visitors,' Abdullah said.

'There is also need to divert pilgrim tourists visiting Mata Vaishno Devi in large numbers to other parts to help generating economic activities holistically,' he said, adding that the steps initiated in this direction require a further boost.

Abdullah said the government has focused attention on creating befitting infrastructure at tourist places in consonance with ecology and environment requirements to maintain the balance between the two.

Underscoring the need for creation of tourism infrastructure at potential spots incorporating the local aesthetic features and art, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora has stressed upon the officers of Tourism Development Authorities to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects and submission of utilization certificates to maintain flow of funds from the Centre for taking up new projects. 

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