NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Sep 13 (NVI): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo held a wrap-up meeting today with a World Bank team to discuss the future of tourist destination development and handicraft promotion in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
The meeting concluded a four-day visit by the World Bank team, who provided feedback and recommendations after touring various tourist sites and handicraft units.
The World Bank team added that it is a Knowledge Partner, and the engagement in developing new tourist destinations and promoting the handicrafts sector has been initiated. The need for extra funding was also mentioned, for which extending the World Bank-funded JTFRP by one year was recommended.
Chief Secretary Dulloo highlighted the government’s commitment towards sustainable tourism development. He emphasized striking a balance between tourism growth and ecological conservation, with strengthening of Tourism Development Authorities for driving location-specific development.
The World Bank team recommitted to the issue of sustainability but also provided the status of strategic advice on how to manage the tourist locations more effectively. It recommended Tourism Destination Spatial Plans and sustainable tourism practices in the tourist facilities. The team also advised the state to get more involvement from the private sector and also streamlining government processes in order to attract investment in tourism.
The meeting was attended by top officials from the World Bank, the Ministry of Tourism, and various state departments to develop this initiative for the betterment of the tourism sector in J&K without harming its natural environment. (News Vibes of India)
