A regular master plan has been chalked out for the promotion of tourism industry in Azad Jammu Kashmir. Official sources said to newsmen that the government had allocated Rs 12 million for launching various development projects for the promotion of tourism in the area.
The plan also included construction and renovation of about 40 state-run rest houses for tourists at different places in the liberated territory. The sources further said the state government had started rapid implementation of the master plan to attract maximum local and foreign investment in the tourism sector in the liberated territory, where most conducive atmosphere coupled with huge natural resources and scenic terrain was available for the purpose.
The AJK government has decided in principle to give tourism the status of industry to utilise the huge available natural resources for the speedy development and uplift of the tourism sector and to overcome the unemployment.
At the first leg of the plan, the government has decided to construct tourist resorts at various picturesque top mountainous areas including Tatta Pani and Joli Peer. Colossal funds had been allocated for the purpose, the sources added.