J&K govt to develop Patnitop-Sanasar as major tourist hub

Jammu region has tremendous tourism potential and concerted efforts are afoot to develop different tourist circles of the region, State Culture and Tourism Minister, Priya Sethi said today.
"We are steadfast on our resolve to promote tourism in the region and with active support from the central government the tourism potential would be explored to its fullest," she said during a meeting held at Patnitop here.
She was on a two-day tour of the Patnitop-Sanasar area inspected existing tourist infrastructure in the area and directed the concerned to take adequate steps to improve these facilities.
She toured Kud, Patnitop and Sanasar tourist destinations and interacted with hoteliers, tour operators and other stake holders.

She directed authorities to explore adventure sports and mountaineering potential in the Sanasar area and called upon the authorities to develop the spot as a major golf centre in the area.
She also directed them to install proper signage, print sufficient tourist brochures and create entertainment facilities like toy train, museum, amusement park at different tourist spots to attract tourists.

"Patnitop, Sansar, Mantalai and Sudh Mahadev are among those tourist spots which have huge potential and the government would ensure that better facilities are created to boost tourism in the destinations," she added.
While inspecting the Patnitop club building, the Minister expressed concern about the present condition of the club and asked to refurbish the building to meet the needs of tourists and stressed that options should be explored for operating the club on PPP mode.

She also visited the newly-constructed Tourist Information Centre and inspected the facilities made available to the tourists.
Sethi also directed authorities to give impetus to horticulture produce in the area and create better facilities for storage, transportation and marketing of vegetables, fruits and other produce of the area.
"Nature has bestowed this region with beautiful landscapes, planes, valleys and river fronts, now we have to put in collective efforts to develop and popularise these tourist destinations," she added.