Srinagar, June 21 (KNS): Lieutenant Governor Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha on Friday said that 8.6 million tourists have visited the Kashmir Valley this year.

Speaking at the Trade Show 2024 at the Kashmir Heritage Government Arts Emporium in Srinagar, Sinha said that around 8 million tourists visited Kashmir from January to May last year. "This year, over 8.6 million tourists have visited during the same period," he stated.

Sinha said that the significant increase in tourism shows Kashmir's beauty and the hard work of the J&K government and the tourism industry to promote the region.

"We are dedicated to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for everyone in Kashmir, and we look forward to welcoming more tourists in the future," he added.

He said that the large increase in tourists has led to significant growth in handloom, handicrafts, agriculture, and horticulture production.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

In June last year, 32 new crafts were notified, and today the number of registered crafts has reached 60, Sinha said adding that over 380,000 artisans are registered.

Sinha said the J&K Trade Show shows that the region has entered a new era of opportunities. We are creating and implementing policies that consider the area's rich culture, heritage, and agricultural strengths to ensure sustainable growth and job creation.

Artisans, weavers, growers, and business entrepreneurs will present their products to domestic and international buyers at the Trade Show, Sinha said adding that event aims to promote the various sectors of handicrafts, handloom, agriculture, and horticulture.(KNS)