'Upgradation of facilities will boost winter tourist footfall'

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said he is confident that tourist footfall of the winters would match that of the summers if the facilities are upgraded to the level of international standards.
"Kashmir valley is ideally suited for high-end holiday travel. I am confident that tourist footfall of winters will match summers if the existing facilities are upgraded to the level of international standards," Sayeed said.
The Chief Minister was chairing a high-level meeting at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir.
Describing high-end resorts as a catalyst for driving niche tourists to the Valley's best known winter destinations, Sayeed asked the Chief Secretary to speed up finalization of the Gulmarg's Master Plan so that the resort is developed with an international flavour.

"Once the Master Plan is finalized, it will enable us to conceive plans for starting wide ranging activities to make Gulmarg high-end," Sayeed said.
The Chief Minister was informed by Secretary Tourism that all modalities and procedural requirements have been finalized and the revised Master Plan is expected to be approved in the next Cabinet meeting.

Sayeed, during his earlier visit to the resort, had ordered establishment of Gulmarg Club that offers multifarious facilities for high-spending travellers, on the pattern of Pahalgam Club and Convention Centre, which he inaugurated at south Kashmir resort a couple of days ago, an official spokesman said here.

He stressed on developing cycling tracks for paddlers, which is a very popular activity in European tourist destinations.
Sayeed also issued directions for ensuring uninterrupted water and power supply availability in the resort.