Prof:-Showkat Mir
A few things that allure the human mind are good food, walking through the omeness of nature, pinch of placidity & some good old brew. Now when you coalesce up the aforementioned concoction, the outcome is the scenic view of Jammu & Kashmir with its serene beauty that takes you into an altogether different journey in itself. Jammu & Kashmir is known as the pride of India & it serves the title rightfully with its breathtaking scenic beauty, soul stirring food & the sheer warmth they offer through their hospitality.
A little glimpse into the tourism scenario over the years in Jammu & Kashmir & one realises that the craze with which people yearn to land their foot in J&K gives us a clear idea as to how much this heaven on earth is loved by the people. Whether that be snow clad mountains of Sonmarg & Gulmarg or the luscious tulips that blossom over acres of land around spring hoarding the attention of gazillion travellers.
GONDOLA, GULMARG
Likewise if we take a diminutive look on the other side of the door alias PoK also known as Azad Kashmir, the place had witnessed quite some tourism activity over the years however, things have hit a downfall due to lack of ace facilities keeping tourists at bay.
Tourism in any country is a prime source of income which directly contributes to the economic development of the country not to mention supporting local business with regards to food & boarding. A lot of investment goes into designing & maintenance of a tourist location with regards to travelling, lodging & boarding, food & infrastructure & the one thing that plays a prominent role amidst all this is the GOVERNMENT of the concerned country. The importance of highlighting the said word was to imply the importance of the involvement & interest of the government in making the place a tourist attraction.
Jammu & Kashmir despite being the land of the Gods has always been a disputed land for umpteen reasons & if we talk about Pakistan occupied Kashmir or Azad Kashmir as they claim it to be, the place has been the peak point of notoriety. But when it comes to comparing both lands, it is Jammu & Kashmir that without a doubt picks up the winner’s trophy.
Coming back to the nuances of the topic, following are a few pointers that will help elucidate the role of tourism in both the places.
Infrastructure
Travel & connectivity
Medical services
Food & Hospitality
INFRASTRUCTURAL STATUS (J&K)
CHENAB RAIL BRIDGE, RIASI, J&K
CHENANI TUNNEL, J&K
Being a tourist in an unknown land is all about deciphering the structural conundrum. By structural conundrum we mean basic infrastructure facilities like roads, residential areas, & connectivity & so on. The Indian government prominently realised this indiscretion & came up with a blueprint that would change the face of J&K tourism industry. Jammu & Kashmir is conspicuously categorized into two sectors namely Jammu & Kashmir respectively. Talk about grabbing a traveller’s attention & these destinations offer you their utmost potential & the significance of which is evident with regards to industries like transport, handicrafts, horticulture & other small scale businesses.
In addition to this, governments over the years have ensured to construct good infrastructural facilities in the form of roads, bridges, airports & so on to provide with the finest experience of travelling for tourists. A good infrastructure plays a pivotal role by acting as a magnet for travellers worldwide making the foundation strong for a successful tourism industry.
INFRASTRUCTURAL STATUS (PoK)
DILAPIDATED ROAD, POK
Despite the good climatic conditions & scenic landscapes the Pakistani government has been quite insensitive towards making any kind of developments in PoK not to mention about prime locations being used for notorious activities over the years. The lack of a good infrastructure is one reason why there has been a considerable decrease in the amount of tourists in the country. This has left a negative impact on the tourism industry.
THE STAYCATION (J &K)
RESORT, PAHALGAM
Although at a turtle’s pace, lodging & boarding did develop massively in Jammu & Kashmir. Identifying the interests of people, hotels & lodges ranging from high prices to moderate prices gradually started cropping up around scenic locations namely Sonmarg & Gulmarg. This showcases that how people monetized on this opportunity which eventually helped in the development of tourism industry. One of the most in demand attractions are the house boats nicely lined up along the coasts of Dal lake like a Queen’s necklace which is every traveller’s dream paradise. The services offered on these boats along with hospitality & other services have been one of the reasons why J & K has become the highlight of India.
THE STAYCATION (PoK)
The foundation of a good tourist location depends upon the number of residing choices one has to offer to the customer. The lack of government intervention into this part of the country has left it in shambles. There are close to no or only handful residential options offered to the tourist, making them reconsider their choice of revisiting the place. To add to the woes, the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities towards making any kind of development has led to crumbling of the existing facilities.
TRAVEL & CONNECTIVITY (J&K)
SRINAGAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Jammu & Srinagar have functional airports which are connected with excellent local transport services making travelling a piece of cake for tourists. Not just air travel but all prominent locations are either connected by railways or road transport thereby offering multiple choices for tourists. This gives a clear message that it is the willingness of the people & local authorities who take initiatives into making travel feasible to its customers. The less the travel lag, the more the tourist would explore the destination again catering to development of small scale businesses.
TRAVEL & CONNECTIVITY (PoK)
We again come to square one on this front, where in we start from the basics where the circle goes over & over again. The Muzaffarabad airport is the only functional airport & that too disconnected with the local transport making it difficult for travellers to reach their destinations in time. A little research on the web & you will witness a truckload of blogs & pieces about how this inconvenience is the prime reason for lack of tourism in PoK.
MEDICAL SERVICES IN (J & K)
MULTISPECIALITY HOSPITALS, J&K
Whether directly or indirectly, tourism to some extent is also closely related to provision of excellent medical facilities at prime destinations. From local clinics to multi-specialty hospitals Jammu & Kashmir has ensured to keep its healthcare essential flawless. Hospitals receive notable funding in the form of charity or investment which has led to top care equipments available for people in need of the hour.
MEDICAL SERVICES (PoK)
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN SHAMBLES, POK
We are not oblivious to the fact that PoK is an extremely ignored part of Pakistan. Where people are still struggling for basic needs of life, finding high quality healthcare system is a faraway dream. The health infrastructure of PoK is in shambles & has deteriorated over the years. Lack of interest by the government into making the necessary changes have put this area at high risk for potential viruses & the situation is getting grave with each passing minute. Thinking from the tourism point of view, if a traveller fails to seek the necessary medical facility in time might also lead to fatal repercussions.
FOOD & HOSPITALITY (J&K)
KASHMIRI CUISINES
Last but not the least we have drawn curtains on the magnificent cuisines & the aromas
that waft through the nook & corners of this state. From Yakhni pulao to Rogan Josh to Goshtaba to Modur pulav to Thukpa to Skyu, a blink of the eye is all you need to do to witness your table lather up with these mouth watering delicacies. They say that good food is like a rose studded pathway to a traveller’s heart & this case it rightfully fits the bill. When it comes to cuisine, the kitchen maestros of Jammu & Kashmir leave no stone unturned to serve you the best of traditional delicacies along with a tinge of fusion food too. Apart from the regular hotels & local outlets, the JKSRTC takes your experience a notch higher with carpet seating arrangements, Shamianas & a soul stirring Ghazal singers who ensure you take with you not only the flavour of the food but also the taste of hospitality.
Coming to hospitality, Jammu & Kashmir has exclusive three star, five stars & seven star hotels along with rented apartments that are connected with prestigious travel apps offering you the best of service in your budget. Noted travel apps namely Airbnb & Trivago offer the best price stays with a view & some good food for the rescue
FOOD & HOSPITALITY (PoK)
While the people of PoK are warm, their warmth squirms up in the prevailing conditions of their state. From lack of good communication sources, to unhygienic conditions, this boat has long hit the iceberg, ready to sink. ‘A first thing first’ is a motto every tourist follows with regards to hospitality in an unknown land. Keeping the emotional aspect apart, the first impression is always the last impression. It is all about reading between the lines which clearly is the apathy of hospitality in PoK. Absolutely zero measures or means are being invested into this part of the country which at one given point of time was every traveler’s dream vacation. From load shedding to water shortage to mangled communication, there is no one story.
CONCLUSION
TARSAR MARSAR LAKE
A lot goes into making a place tourist worthy especially if the state policies are a handle with care scenario. The Indian government not only was but has been extremely forthcoming into making noticeable makeover of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir. For what remains of PoK, the government must take initiative into improvising the condition & curtailing the prevailing notoriety there by welcoming the world with open arms.