After removal of article 370, number of tourists decreased in J&K

The Central Government said that after the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, the number of tourists in this Union Territory has registered a decline and the most impact has been in the Kashmir Valley.

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In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said that there has been an increase in tourist arrivals for the last few months. Patel said, "Since August 5, 2019, there has been a decline in the number of tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir. This effect was more pronounced in Kashmir Valley than in Jammu.

However, tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir have been increasing gradually for the last few months. There were 87,94,837 tourists in Jammu and 1,00,931 in Ladakh. During this period, the total number of tourists visiting Jammu on religious tours was 76,80,775.

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Asked the details of jobs ended in tourism and handicrafts sectors in these union territories after August 5, 2019, the Minister said that the Ministry of Tourism has not done any formal study to assess the loss of employment.

Patel, however, said that there has been no significant shortage of employment in the handicrafts sector in Jammu and Kashmir during this period. He said, "Artisans engaged in various handicraft activities are doing their work and the government is supporting them through various schemes.

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Steps are also being taken to provide all possible assistance to the artisans of Jammu and Kashmir through various schemes of the Central Government. "On August 5, 2019, the Central Government has given special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Article 370 was abolished and Jammu and Kashmir was made a Union Territory from the state. Ladakh was also given the status of a union territory.

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