I don’t believe in (tourist) numbers: Mir Media exaggerates Kashmir incidents (Written by:Shafat Farooq Kashmir Monitor) =>Since he took over, there occurred many incidents which had the potential of destroying another tourism season of Kashmir. In a precise conversation with Kashmir Monitor reporter Shafat Farooq, Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmed Mir explains how he worked hard to get the tourist season out of turmoil after the secret execution of Muhammad Afzal Guru in February this year. Q: What was the primary challenge since you took over the tourism ministry? A: After I joined as the tourism minister, I had kept many plans in mind to boost this sector especially on the developmental front. But the execution of Afzal Guru in February was completely a herculean task for me. This was the biggest challenge for the entire tourism department and thank god we overcame that nightmarish situation. We have succeeded in making the situation feasible for tourism. I would like to thank all the tour operators, transporters, hoteliers, Shikarawallas and especially the people in whole who extended their support to the government in making the atmosphere conducive for the tourism. Q: Are the recent killings and militancy related incidents going to affect the tourism season? A: No. These are unfortunate incidents. The government has taken cognizance of all the rights violation and all the stake holders condemned the Sumbal killings in one voice, this sent out a strong message to the people that someone is out there listening to them. Strikes don’t achieve anything; they affect the common people at large. Violence has dropped down considerably in the state. Q: Is your department worried about the way the national media portrays Kashmir situation? Sometimes the minor incidents are blown out of proportions sending a wrong signal to the tourists across the country? A: Media is absolutely free. We cannot clamp down on them but, yes we have told the central government many a times that outside media often exaggerates the minor incidents in Kashmir affecting the tourism here and they must look into it. Q: The Ponnywalla mafia is active at many tourist places causing inconvenience to the visitors. Many tourists have complained about harassment by the Ponnywalla’s and even tourist players aren’t happy with them. What is your say? A: If there are any such complaints my officers should immediately look into this. But we cannot allow anyone to harass the tourists. Q: Recently a group of high-end tourists who were on a visit to Gulmarg, left valley in a jiffy without even visiting Kashmir. They alleged that they were harassed by the Ponnywalla’s? A: This is unfortunate and should not have happened. We have already identified the spots for the Ponnywallas and they can operate only in their designated spots. We will take care of such incidents in future. Q: What is the number of tourists that the tourism department is eyeing this year? A: I don’t believe in numbers. Why should we restrain ourselves to numbers? As a minister, I have the potential to double the number of tourists in a month’s time. But, nothing is going to happen if the number of tourists increases or decreases. Q: Are you saying this because the numbers are often politicized and linked with the return of peace in Kashmir? A: In the past people have done politics on numbers. I don’t want to comment further. It’s an issue of bread and butter of people. Q: Since you joined, what steps have been taken to promote the heritage tourism in Kashmir? A: Kashmir is not as rich as Rajasthan in the heritage. But whatever little we have, we have done tremendous things to promote it. Heritage tourism is an essential part of tourism and it has been our endeavour to promote it. In the near future we have many plans to promote it at a bigger level. Q: At restaurants, dhabas, guest houses and other places of eatery. No fixed prices have been issued by your department. The complaints of fleecing galore every day? A: In Kashmir it’s just a third good tourist season. We have come out of a volatile situation and we are in a process of finalizing things. Everything will be streamlined gradually. And a policy for price check is also in offing. But, see in a world best place like Kashmir the price variation will always be there. The prices here will be a slight more than the prices of other places. The variation of percentage will be there. We are in the process of classification hotels and restaurants. Q: The tourism department has completed its first phase by the June end, what has been the response so far? A: The response is encouraging. I am not eyeing a traditional three month tourist season for Kashmir I am planning a season that will be 365 days season. Normally the seasons would die after June and July but we will try to catch the maximum, if not 70 percent but even 30-40 percent will suffice. Something is better than nothing.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Jul 2013 04:12:31 +0000
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