Jammu has for long been the neglected part of the state ofJammu and Kashmir. However, now Jammu Tourism is pushing the destination,not only for spiritual travel, but also MICE, adventure, entertainment, and eco-tourism, says Priya Sethi.
How has been 2016-17 in terms of tourist footfall in Jammu and Kashmir? What is the ratio of domestic and international tourists?
During the Navratri festivity (Hindu festival), close to 40,000 people visited the holy shrines in Jammu, each day this year. Apart from this season, between 10-20 million people visit the state all the year round.
Jammu mostly offers domestic tourism and international tourists have not much explored the destination but we have started mapping about 15 tracks and best hotels, so that the state is prepared to welcome foreign tourists as well.
What draws tourists here? Can you talk about some lesser-known destinations for the tourists to explore?
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is a region with ample of temples, mosques, shrines and religious places to visit but apart from religious tourism, Jammu offers other options as well. For MICE tourism, we have good places for convocations and other such events.
For adventure lovers, we have beautiful adventurous spots for all-year round rafting and paragliding; which are often left unexplored.
Jammu is amongst the unexplored destinations, so we are promoting Jammu to highlight scenic destinations like Bhadrawah, Patnitop, Sanasar, and the entire Chenab region.
The state also has beautiful natural settings for wedding destinations, some of which can be mapped at Gulmarg, Pehel gaon and Bhadrawah. We also welcome Bollywood crews for shooting films, videos or documentaries and the Jammu government is very open to provide logistics free of cost for these activities.
Bu hikaye India & You dergisinin November - December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye India & You dergisinin November - December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Eat, Pray and Art, at Little Lhasa
McLeod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of the Tibetans, offers an eclectic mix of Indian and Tibetan cultures, which exist in this small town dominated by Buddhism preachers and tap-toed by foreign tourists.
City of Joy: Resonance of Kolkata's Heartbeats
To discover Kolkata, the pearl of East India, with its beautiful colonial buildings, its poetry that impregnates every segment of life, even a simple conversation in a small coffee house, and its religious and spiritual syncretism, start your journey on the water, along the Ganges. The river flows through the city and is its source of life.
Focus On Niche Tourism And Infrastructure
With increased tourist arrivals in India, the Ministry of Tourism is working to build strategies, including focus on niche tourism areas like cruise, golf and adventure. Amidst everything, improvement in tourism infrastructure is the key, says Verma.
Bringing Jammu To The Forefront
Jammu has for long been the neglected part of the state ofJammu and Kashmir. However, now Jammu Tourism is pushing the destination,not only for spiritual travel, but also MICE, adventure, entertainment, and eco-tourism, says Priya Sethi.
It's Off The Beaten Track For Himachal
Himachal Pradesh has some of the best tourist hotspots in India attracting foreign and domestic tourists alike. With Shimla, Kulu, Manali, and Dharamshala, being over-explored by both domestic as well as international tourists, Himachal Pradesh Tourism is now looking at newer and offbeat destinations to offer enhanced experiences, primarily targeting adventure tourists.
Shimla: At Peace, Amidst All The Action
Stroll down one of the longest pedestrian shopping stretches in the world, or climb for a heritage walk. Get enveloped in a blanket of mist as you speed down a zip line, while the sky is changing from a deep orange to ebony black.
Jammu: Beyond The Spiritual Calling
The state of Jammu & Kashmir brings together contrasting worlds, one of them being the division of Jammu in the south. As the epicentre of socio-economic activities, Jammu is a rail hub and a major draw for domestic pilgrims, as well as heritage lovers.
Following Buddha's Footprints
Over the last few years, India has been aggressively marketing itself as a Buddhist tourism destination. The results have begun to show, but a lot more needs to be done to optimise the potential.
Unique and Vibrant in its Creation,but on the Verge of Extinction
Miniature painting art of Udaipur is one of the unique and distinct art forms of India. The artists draw the religious manuscripts and illustrations of mythological epics. Miniature painting art used to be the royal art and confined to the kings of the time, resulted in less attention in the contemporary world of art which has to some extent lead it onto the verge of extinction.
Women In Blue Strike And Not Out!
Interest in women’s cricket in India has peaked following their brilliant performance at the recent Women’s World Cup while the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled a new research that shows the scale of the impact this summer’s Cricket World Cup has had on fans and new participants.
