Srinagar: The number of tourists visiting Kashmir Valley so far this year has surpassed the nearly seven lakh mark set before the eruption of militancy in the state in 1990.
"In the history of Kashmir, we have not witnessed so many tourists. Even during the pre-militancy years we would receive a maximum of seven lakh tourists. This year we have received a record number of tourists," Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora said at a function to celebrate the birth anniversary of NC founder Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah in Srinagar.
Although Jora did not reveal the exact number of the tourists, according to officials the number had crossed a million.
"Tourism is the backbone of our economy. We aim to make this state a prominent tourist destination as it was before the militancy era," the minister said.
The tourism industry in the state has suffered a huge setback after eruption of militancy in the state in 1990s.
Three years of summer unrest from 2008-10 also hit the tourism industry in Kashmir.
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