Srinagar, September 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday welcomed tourists from across India and abroad on World Tourism Day as Gulmarg prepares to host a national-level golf tournament.
Abdullah invited travellers to experience Jammu and Kashmir’s natural beauty, rich culture and hospitality, highlighting its diverse tourism offerings, including adventure sports, leisure retreats, pilgrimage circuits, MICE facilities, wedding destinations, trekking routes and film locations.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening tourism infrastructure and promoting sustainable and eco-friendly tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also emphasised placing local youth and the region’s cultural traditions at the centre of the hospitality sector so that tourism contributes to local livelihoods while preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s heritage.
Meanwhile, Director Tourism Syed Qamar Sajjad said Gulmarg will host the sixth national-level golf tournament this year as part of the Tourism Department’s efforts to promote golf tourism.
Sajjad said the tournament will be fully sponsored by the Tourism Department and has been included in its annual calendar. He added that Gulmarg will host the event again next year.
On tourism growth, the Director stressed the importance of quality hospitality and human interaction, cautioning against excessive reliance on artificial intelligence at the expense of visitor experience.
“For tourists, money does not matter, but service matters and how we deal with them and how we protect them from betrayal,” he said, emphasising that the warmth and smile of the host remain important elements of Kashmir’s hospitality.
“Instead of relying on AI, we should upgrade our services,” Sajjad said, calling for improved services and stronger visitor experiences.
He said tourism remains a major employment-generating sector in Kashmir and urged greater focus on how visitors are received and treated. According to Sajjad, tourists generally arrive with a planned budget but are willing to spend more when they receive good services and feel welcomed.
The Director said the government has formulated a strategy to further promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, with golf among the key focus areas.
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