MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has decided to celebrate 2019 as tourism year and all departments have been asked to gear themselves up to hold different events and activities in partnership with the private sector during the next year, an official said.

A ‘tourism calendar’ of the events for 2019 would be issued sometime next month so that each department could make preparations for its events and activities well before time, said Pirzada Irshad Ahmad, director general the AJK Tourism and Archaeology Department, while talking to Dawn on Wednesday.

He said that a high level meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Development Dr Syed Asif Hussain was also held on Tuesday to elicit recommendations from the heads and representatives of different government and semi government departments as to how to disseminate information and create awareness among the masses about their role in the promotion of tourism in the region.

“Azad Kashmir is blessed with awe-inspiring natural beauty and spectacular tourist sites which people can enjoy both in summers and winters and the region can change its fate if the rich potential of tourism sector is exploited to the full,” Mr Ahmad said.

He said the government was committed to provide full cooperation and assistance to all such people who were disposed to make small or big investments in tourism sector.

Mr Ahmed said that the quality roads in AJK is a major factor for the large number of tourists the area receives and that almost all the major roads were expected to be upgraded by next year, which will make travelling in the area easier.

“The government has given top priority in its annual budgets to communications and works sector,” the director general said.

He claimed that the government was also trying to introduce the concept of ecotourism to promote responsible travel to natural areas, conserve the environment and improve the well-being of the local people

Mr Ahmad said that a dedicated website, where necessary information about tourism sites, local customs, food and means of communication and accommodation, would be provided in detail for the benefit of the people.

In response to a question, he said main events envisaged for the tourism year included an archaeology conference, cultural conference, environmental conference handicraft bazaars, cultural shows, plantation campaigns, sports gala, food festival, food competitions, workshops, special lectures, adventure tourism events.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2018