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/ India News / 2007 / July 2007 / July 19, 2007 Ladakh traders welcome increase in tourism (Lead: Tourism) |
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Ladakh, the Land of High Passes, is becoming a major draw for both domestic and foreign tourists.
By Jigmet Angchuk
Leh, July 19 : Ladakh, the 'Land of High Passes,' is becoming a major draw for both domestic and foreign tourists.
The tourist arrivals in Leh have doubled since 1975, owing to its scenic beauty and initiatives taken by the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
About 45,000 tourists visited Ladakh during 2006. Seven hundred million rupees were earned during the year.
Local shopkeepers and traders say that the sale of goods during the peak season has increased substantially.
Muzaffar Wangnoo, an antique shop owner, said: "Business in Ladakh is much better this year. Recently the Government opened new trekking spots at Nubra and others, which have been attracting a lot of outsiders.
"We get good business mainly in June, July and August, which are the peak tourist months here. There are places to visit here," he added.
Sajad, an antique shop owner, said: "Our business is totally dependent on bookings. If the booking is good, our business definitely increases. This year we may sell products of worth Rs. 30,00,000 or Rs. 40,00,000".
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 Delhi to Leh has also pushed the number of visitors here to a new high.
Haji Nazir Ahmed Zargar, an antique shop owner, said: "Since 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
