Jammu and Kashmir as safe as any other place in the world: Farooq Shah

NEW DELHI: Making a fresh pitch to attract tourists, Jammu and Kashmir government today said the state is the "best" destination for travellers in the country and it is as safe as any other place in the world.

"When it comes to J&K, as a tourist destination, we are the best in the country. Problem lies with this false perception that J&K is not safe. Let me tell you it's as safe as any other place in the world.

"And if it's about a safety certificate, I wonder if any other state provides you that," state Tourism Secretary Farooq Shah said addressing a conference on initatives taken to promote tourism under the new slogan 'See J&K in New Light'.

Shah explained the initiatives taken to attract tourists from across the world which included a festival calendar of J&K for 2016, newly built covention centres for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism, upgraded golf courses with attractive golfer packages and many others.

Deliberating on the issue, stakeholders like hotel owners, event organizers, businessmen, officials and others put forward their suggestions to enhance tourism in the state.

Shah also advised media to be more responsible in their approach while projecting the state and said promoting Jammu and Kashmir is like serving "national interest".