NEELUM (Kashmir Digital): Despite all the threats from the enemy along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Neelum Valley, local people have invested all their savings to establish guest houses for the promotion of tourism in the region but the government has failed to capitalize the spirit.
The government has shown no interest in promoting tourism in the Neelum Valley. Facilities like internet mobile service and electricity are also not available.
Raja Shafqat Khan, the owner of Keran Retreat, told Kashmir Digital that if the government takes serious steps to promote tourism in Neelum, it could generate half of the annual budget for the government.
He mentioned that while employees of the Tourism Department are receiving salaries, action regarding the promotion of tourism is zero.
“We have invested millions of rupees in the private sector, the government should provide us loans so that tourism can be promoted. We have invested along the Line of Control only to promote tourism in Azad Kashmir.”
He said that instead of providing facilities, the government is taking steps that discourage tourism in the region despite people have made investments worth millions of rupees there.
Tourism promotion not govt priority
He said it seems the promotion of tourism is not a priority for the rulers.
If a little focus is placed, Neelum Valley has so much potential that half of the budget can come from here. It is essential that the government formulates a serious policy regarding tourism.
Due to the lack of proper facilities in the Neelum Valley, tourists return disappointed. If the government pays attention to this, tourism can be promoted, he said.
