Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has said that things are improving in Jammu and Kashmir and people have again started to visit Kashmir again after the Pahalgam attack and asserted that the phase when Kashmir was popular for filming is returning.
Talking to a private TV news channel, Sinha said after the Pahalgam attack, the Amarnath Yatra commenced, and more than 4.15 lakh devotees arrived, which helped tourism revival in the UT.
“However, due to natural calamities such as landslides and heavy rains, it stopped. But because of the snowfall, people have started to visit Kashmir again,” he said. “More tourists will visit Jammu & Kashmir as a concert by Sonu Nigam is being organised."
According to Sinha, "Film policies in J&K were created and reviewed after two years, resulting in changes. Since then, many Bollywood films have been shot here, along with a number of OTT films, thanks to incentives.”
“I can say that the phase when Kashmir was popular for filming is returning,” he said.
"With Sonu Nigam performing here, there is a lot of excitement. Bollywood will also visit and shoot films here. There is a lot of talent among the people of Jammu & Kashmir - be it in music or the local artisans. This will be a great platform for their talent to flourish,” the Lt Governor said.
On tourism boost in J&K, Sinha said, “After the 2019 Covid pandemic, there has been an increase in tourists visiting Jammu & Kashmir, both domestic and international. I would like to thank the Government of India and the State Government for working together. After the G20 Summit, the influx of international tourists has increased. This sent a message around the country, and more people started coming to Kashmir, knowing that it is safe. As you know, last year, 2.4 crore people visited Kashmir."
He said for the last two to three years, Kashmir has been witnessing more than 2 crore tourists annually, which has greatly helped the state.