NEW DELHI, Nov 7: Britain has lifted its advisory against travelling to some parts of Indian-held Kashmir in the latest sign of the scenic region’s revival as a tourism destination.

Famed for its houseboats on placid lakes, clean air and mountain scenery, Kashmir was a popular international get-away until an armed struggle against rule from New Delhi erupted in 1989.

“We no longer advise against travel to Jammu and Srinagar, nor against travel on the Jammu to Srinagar highway,” the British High Commission said in an update on its website posted on Tuesday.

Srinagar is Kashmir’s summer capital and, while Jammu serves as the winter capital. “The improvements in the security situation has led us to lift the advisory against UK citizens travelling to both cities, Jammu and Kashmir,” British High Commissioner James Bevan said.

He said the decision to lift the warning would boost foreign tourism and benefit the local economy.

Britain, which first issued a Kashmir travel advisory in 1995, still advises against travel to other parts of the region except for Ladakh.

The United States strongly recommends its citizens avoid travel to Kashmir.—AFP