SRINAGAR: Manoj Sinha, the lieutenant governor, stated on Monday that the number of tourists expected in Jammu and Kashmir is projected to top 2.25 crores, with a 59% increase in foreign visitors as a result of the G20 tourism summit held in Srinagar. Speaking at the 44th PSPB Inter-Unit Golf Tournament’s opening ceremony, which was hosted by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) in Srinagar, LG Sinha noted that this year, 1 crore 52 lakh more tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir through the end of August than the previous year (1 crore 28 lakh). “I’m hoping 2.25 crores will be reached by the end of 2023. Additionally, there has been a 59% rise in international visitor arrivals since the G20 working group conference.These figures demonstrate the changes that have taken place in J&K, he informed the audience. The G20 Summit’s success, the record number of visitors, and the exceptional rise in international visitors to the UT themselves speak to the current state of peace and the altered situation in Jammu and Kashmir,” he continued. The golfers were welcomed to the UT of J&K by the Lieutenant Governor, who also urged them to spread the word about the new Jammu and Kashmir throughout the nation and abroad. J&K’s recent transformational journey was also acknowledged by LG. “J&K UT has a long history of being a centre of learning, a paradise on earth, and a gathering place for all spiritual streams. Secessionism, terrorism, and nepotism caused J&K and its people to suffer for many years. But those dark times are behind us now. People’s lives now have a bright beam of hope. We are performing better than many states and UTs in various industries, he claimed.
