Ladakh traders happy about tourism boom

Ladakh, the Land of High Passes, is today proving to be a major draw for both domestic and foreign tourists.

By Jigmet Angchuk

Leh, July 19 : Ladakh, the 'Land of High Passes,' is today proving to be a major draw for both domestic and foreign tourists.

The tourism potential of Leh has doubled since 1975, owing to its scenic beauty and initiatives undertaken by the Jammu and Kashmir Government.

About 45,000 tourists visited Ladakh during 2006. Seventy crore rupees revenue was earned during the year.

Local shopkeepers and traders believe that in peak season, the sale of goods is augmented.

Muzaffar Wangnoo, an antique shop owner, said: "Ladakh is much better this time. Situation is good and we are doing good business. Recently the Government opened new trekking spots at Nubra and others, which have been attracting a lot of outsiders.

"People are coming in good numbers. We get good business mainly in June, July and August, which are the peak tourist months here. I would say that tourism is picking up in Ladakh. There are many things and places to watch," he added.

Sajad, an antique shop owner, said: For any normal shop owner, sale dwindles between rupees 30 to 40 lakh.

"Our business is totally dependent on bookings. If the booking is good, our business definitely increases. Hence, the business is not same always. This year we may sell products of worth Rs. 30,00,000 or Rs. 40,00,000," he added.

The Ladakh region is inaccessible by road or rail for a major part of the year. The best time to visit is between June and October.

The commencement of daily flights by Air Deccan from Leh to Delhi has also pushed the number of visitors here to a new high. The domestic tourists have been thronging the Ladakh region.

Haji Nazir Ahmed Zargar, an antique shop owner: "Since the Air Deccan has started new flights, the number of national tourists has increased. The local tourists come here and purchase our antique goods and other things. Indeed, the demand of our goods is much more among domestic tourists than foreigners."

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, besides opening new trekking spots, is contemplating to formulate a 20-year prospective plan for main regions of the State including Ladakh.

In the tenth Five-Year plan, rupees 128.47 crores have been sanctioned and Rs.97.42 crore has been released for various projects in the Sate of Jammu and Kashmir.

ANI