International Research Journal of Management Science & Technology
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International Research Journal of Management Science & Technology ISSN 2250 – 1959(0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print) An Internationally Indexed Peer Reviewed & Refereed Journal Shri Param Hans Education & Research Foundation Trust www.IRJMST.com www.SPHERT.org Published by iSaRa Solutions IRJMST Vol 9 Issue 10 [Year 2018] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print) TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN KASHMIR: THE POLICY PERSPECTIVE Authors *Hafizullah Dar PhD Research Scholar in Tourism Department of Tourism and Hotel Management, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra **NaserUl Islam PhD Research Scholar in Tourism Department of Tourism and Hotel Management, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 1. Abstract Kashmir is one of the most famous tourist destinations of India in the Himalayas. The Valley is filled with assorted rich tourism resources. For the sustainable use of these tourism resources, a proper tourism policy is requisite. Subsequently, the present study aims to examine government policy for the growth and development of tourism in Kashmir region; besides, the assessment of tourism potentials and tourist flow in Kashmir is added endeavor of the study. Desk research approach has been employed to accomplish to study objectives. According to the findings, ministry of tourism government of Jammu and Kashmir has framed a draft of tourism policy so far. The draft tourism policy constitutes developmental and promotional tactics forexisting and new forms of tourism, abiding the sustainable tourism approach, development of tourism infrastructure and human resource, ensuring safety and security, and encouraging tourism education within the state. Moreover, the state government is working hard to promote eco-tourism and offbeat tourist destinations in collaboration with several other concerned bodies. It has been observed that Kashmir valley is dotted with a number of tourist attractions and enables tour operators to rend diverse forms of tour packages to tourists. For the proper use of tourism resources, there is need of an apt, resilient andimplementable tourism policy in Kashmir. The policy should constitute the contribution of all tourism stakeholders in the region with positive outcome. Service providers must be monitored for rendering better tourist services. Assuranceof safety and security, development of infrastructure and superstructure are some primary issues to be taken in consideration in the Valley. 2. Key words:Kashmir Tourism, Tourism Development, Tourism Policy 3. Introduction Tourism is a temporary displacement of people to destination outside the environment where they usually live and work and their activities during the stay at destinations. It includes travel for all purposes (Tourism Society of England, 1976). Tourism industry is a global phenomenon; it is travel International Research Journal of Management Science & Technology http://www.irjmst.com Page 10 IRJMST Vol 9 Issue 10 [Year 2018] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print) for recreational, leisure or business purposes. It is a large business and will continue to grow. Tourism is alive with dynamic growth, new activities, new destinations, new technology, new markets and rapid changes (Charles and Brent, 2006). The sum of the phenomenon and relationship arising from the travel and stay of non-residents in so far as they do not lead to permanent place and are not connected with any earning activity (Hunriker and Krapt, 1942).A phenomenon unique to modern time which is dependent on the peoples increasing need for a change and relaxing, the wish of recognizing the beauties of nature, art and the belief that nature gives happiness to human beings and which helps nations and communities approaching to each other thanks to the developments in commerce and industry and the communication and transportation tools becoming excellent (Guyer and Feuler, 1905).Tourism includes all the activities selected by the choice and undertaken outside the usual environment, it may or may not involve overnight from home (IASET,1981).The collection of the things like interaction of tourists, traders, governments and host people in the road of attracting cum satisfying and motivating the tourists and hosting those tourists and other travelers (Macintosh and Goeldner, 1986).Tourism is a human experience, a social experience, a geographical phenomenon, a resource value, and a business industry; it was not only an instrument of earning foreign exchange and means of seeking global collaboration, understanding and peace between the nations (Nehru,2001). Tourism includes the activities of a person travelling and staying a destination outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure business and other purposes (UNWTO, 1994). Tourism is the world’s largest industry and one of the objectives of tourism development is economic development. Tourism industry is one of the most profitable industries across the globe and contributes substantially to foreign exchanged earned. Man as a traveler is known since time immemorial. Initially their travel was for the quest of food followed by shelter. Generally with the passage of time their travel turned to several new dimensions-travel as an adventure, travel as a hobby, for relaxation, to enjoy the natural beauty, as a pilgrimage, to acquire knowledge on historical aspects and archaeological sites. Travel sometimes is associated with adventure and sometimes for religious purpose by visiting pilgrimages or by taking a holy dip. All these are to quench the thirst of mind. Thus, tourism occupies an important place in human life by many ways (Dasgupta et al, 2007). Tourism policy does not interfere in areas where solutions could be found by the industry itself. The industry has to know-how and the necessary momentum needed for innovation (HelmutKruger, 2004).Tourism policy can be defined as a set of regulations, rules, guidelines, directives, and development or promotion objectives and strategies that provide a framework within which the collective and individual decisions directly affecting long-term tourism development and the daily activities within a destination are taken(Goeldner and Ritchie, 2006). A tourism policy defines the direction or course of action that a particular country, region, locality or an individual destination plans to take when developing or promoting tourism. The key principle for any tourism policy is that it should ensure that the nation would benefit to the maximum extent possible from the economic and social contributions of tourism. The ultimate objective of a tourism policy is to improve the progress of the nation and the lives of its citizens (Biederman,2007). The basic reason of tourism policy is to combine the all the benefits of tourism and put together all these benefits with community, destination, and nations so as to improve the universal peace and prosperity(Edgell, 1990). The continuous changing scenario of tourism industry, with its turn from mass tourism towards greater market segmentation, use of new equipments, diversification and innovation of the International Research Journal of Management Science & Technology http://www.irjmst.com Page 11 IRJMST Vol 9 Issue 10 [Year 2018] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print) product and adoption of new management techniques, demands a change in concernwithgovernments tourism policies (Fayos-Sola,1996). Tourism policy seeks to ensure that tourists are treated in a way that maximizes the benefits to services providers while reducing the negative effects, costs, and impacts associated with success of the destination. In effect, tourism policy aims to provide high quality tourist experiences that are beneficial for service providers and ensuring that local culture and environment will be preserved(Goeldner and Ritchie, 2006). The tourism industry is composed of government, private and non-profit organizations interested in the destination development, marketing and promotion, economic benefits and future sustainability. These interests can help in making a good tourism policy. The good tourism policy aims to improve the quality of life and local community at the destination. 4. Area of Study: Kashmir valley Kashmir is one of the main three divisions of Jammu and Kashmir, a northern most state of India.Strategically, Kashmir valley is located between PirPanjal and Greater Himalayan ranges. The Indian administered Kashmir is spread over an area of 15,948 km2.The Valley is very beautiful and most popular tourist destination. It is known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Gardens, hill stations, green fields, meadows, snow clad mountains, handicrafts and so on are the main factors that pull tourists to Kashmir and makes it a round the year destination. Kashmir is a land locked valley. Srinagar is the main entry point to it. National Highway 1-A is the only route that connects it with rest of the country, India, by road and Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar connects it with rest of the world by air. Moreover, Jammu Tawi railway station, 305 km, is the nearest railway station of Kashmir in Jammu that joins it with other states of India by train. Hospitality of Kashmir makes every guest comfortable here. Kind people and varieties of delicious food in Kashmir are acclaimed everywhere. Apart from the modern hotels, resorts and other types of accommodation units, Houseboats are very popular form of floating accommodation in Dal Lake and River Jhelum in the Valley. 5. Review of Literature Several researchers have studied