Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday stressed the need for safe, sustainable and responsible adventure tourism while inaugurating the 17th Annual Convention of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) in the region.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the tourism sector this year, the Chief Minister said, “For all of us associated with the tourism industry, this has been a difficult year. We are fighting situations that are not of our making, but we are still plugging away to ensure tourism continues to flourish.”
Praising the resilience of local stakeholders, Omar Abdullah remarked, “Only those associated with tourism here know how they survive in uncertain times. Their tenacity, strength and commitment are remarkable.”
Highlighting the role of adventure tourism, he said, “Adventure tourism is important because it takes people into areas that would otherwise not see regular tourist arrivals.” Stressing safety, the Chief Minister cautioned, “Adventure tourism is not another word for organised suicide. There is a difference between something being dangerous and being suicidal.”
Emphasising responsibility, Omar Abdullah added, “People entrust their lives to us, and it is our duty to ensure we hand them back to their families in exactly the same condition.” He welcomed ATOAI’s efforts in setting safety guidelines and assured the government’s support to ensure that adventure tourism in Jammu & Kashmir remains “safe, sustainable and repeatable.”
