In Jan, Feb 2023; 4.70 lakh tourists visited J&K; figure highest ever: LG Manoj Sinha

Throws open Tulip garden in Sgr; Says last year 3.60 lakh tourists visited garden, figure to increase this year, Second Tulip garden set up at Patnitop with 2.5 lakh bulbs, EMAAR group’s investment to other foreign players to J&K

Abid Bashir

Srinagar, Mar 19 (KNO): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Sunday said Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing tourism boom as in just the first two months of the year 2023, 4.70 lakh tourists have visited the UT as the administration expects another record number of tourist arrivals in the ensuing year.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating Asia’s largest Tulip garden, situated in the foothills of Zabarwan mountain range, overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar, the LG said that tourism is picking up and tourists are visiting in large numbers to J&K. “In just January and February months, 4.70 lakh tourists visited J&K and the figure excludes Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims,” the LG said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), adding that the figure is highest ever so far compared to past.

He said that in 2022, 1 Crore and 28 lakh tourists visited J&K and the figure is the highest in the past many decades.

He said that this year 16 tulips are in full bloom in the garden with 68 varieties. The garden is spread over 30 hectares of land. “I am glad to announce that we have a second Tulip garden at Patnitop where 2.5 lakh tulips are in full bloom. Efforts are on to keep both the gardens open throughout the year,” the LG said as per KNO. He thanked the gardeners for their hard work and keeping the garden ready in record time.

He said that EMARR group’s Rs 500 Cr investment in J&K will give confidence to other foreign players to invest in J&K. “I am sure we will see a huge investment in the Healthcare and hospitality sector, tourism, and other sectors,” the LG said.

He said that Prime Minister Narendera Modi changed the “taqdeer and tasveer” of J&K in the past three years—(KNO)