The Tourism Department Kulgam today launched a Rural Tourism Planning Programme at the village Tangmarg Aharbal. Speaking on the occasion, Asstt Director Tourism Kulgam said that the main focus of the programme is to stimulate rural economy through rural tourism, besides creation of the new business and self employment opportunities especially through home stays.
The officer said that revitalization of local art & craft, home stays and best tourism village are other agendas of the programme.The convergence between tourism and rural development through involvement of panchayat will be key to development of village tourism.
The panchayat tourism plans have been framed early this year and now need an action plan for execution.The officers laid stress on cleanliness and sanitation of tourism villages with special focus on Aharbal villages. Clean and green Kulgam will be important for the long run of sustainable tourism .
Needless to mention that due to special focus on Aharbal through summer and winter festival, tourism in Kulgam has doubled. The panchayats, tourism department, Aharbal development authority (ADA) and RDD are key contributors to this success.
The programme was launched in collaboration with RDD & PR Kulgam. The Sarpanches, Panchs, youth club members and many local people participated in the programme. The officers/officials of Tourism, ADA and RDD departments also remained present. All the participants appreciated the move to revitalize the rural tourism.