Director of Tourism Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajad, on Friday said the reopening of several tourist destinations across Kashmir will give visitors more opportunities to explore the region and will also help generate employment for local communities.
He said the department has been working to expand tourism activity by reopening destinations and developing new places so that visitors can experience more than the traditional tourist spots.
Popular locations such as Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg often receive large numbers of visitors. The addition of more destinations will help distribute tourist movement across different areas.
“With the reopening of several tourist destinations, visitors will now have multiple opportunities to explore Kashmir, and it will also provide employment to more and more people,” Sajad said.
He said the department wants to ensure that tourism benefits reach more areas and more people. According to him, many places in Kashmir have strong tourism potential but have remained unexplored for years.
The director said the department is focusing on upgrading and renovating existing tourism assets instead of constructing new structures. He said improving already available infrastructure will help in better use of resources and will also strengthen the tourism experience for visitors.
“We will upgrade and renovate our assets to make better use of them,” he said.
As part of this initiative, the Tourism Department has reopened the Zabarwan Park Museum in Srinagar after remaining closed for nearly five to seven years.
Located within the scenic Zabarwan Park area, the museum showcases the rich cultural heritage, traditions and historical legacy of Kashmir, offering visitors and tourists a glimpse into the region’s diverse art, lifestyle and history.
Officials said the reopening of the museum is an important step to revive cultural tourism and attract visitors interested in the history and traditions of the Valley.
The director said the department also plans to improve the displays and facilities at the museum in the coming months. He said such initiatives will encourage tourists to visit cultural spaces and spend more time exploring different aspects of Kashmir.
Officials believe that reopening tourism assets and improving existing destinations will strengthen the tourism sector and create new livelihood opportunities for people linked to tourism in Kashmir.
