Destination-Specific Tourism Strategy
Omar Abdullah rules out replicating Gulmarg tourism model across Jammu and Kashmir.
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Key Points
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The government has identified five sites along the Arigam–Reyar Ich stretch for wayside facilities serving visitors and local vendors. Administrative approval has been granted for the ₹50 lakh project, which was at the tendering stage.
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Omar Abdullah said the administration is pursuing a broad, multi-pronged tourism strategy covering pilgrimage, heritage, adventure, eco, nature, rural, cultural, wellness and leisure tourism, rather than relying on gondolas to revive destinations.
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The government has begun identifying new tourist destinations and assessing their potential in consultation with local stakeholders as well as the Revenue and Forest departments.
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Abdullah cautioned that the success of Gulmarg’s Gondola does not guarantee similar results elsewhere, saying: “Just because Gulmarg’s Gondola runs, it does not mean that gondolas will be equally successful everywhere.”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rejected a one-size-fits-all approach to tourism development, saying the Union Territory will not replicate Gulmarg's gondola model across other destinations. Greater Kashmir reported that Abdullah emphasized each location has its own identity and visitor patterns. Gulmarg's gondola attracts far more riders than similar installations elsewhere, making blanket replication risky.
Instead, the government is pursuing a broad tourism strategy covering pilgrimage, heritage, adventure, eco, nature, rural, cultural, wellness and leisure tourism. Daily Excelsior noted that a proposed gondola at Doodhpathri remains under consideration, pending approvals and funding. The state has submitted a ₹75 crore detailed project report for Doodhpathri under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
Why Gulmarg's Success Doesn't Transfer Elsewhere
Abdullah cautioned that Gulmarg's gondola ridership far exceeds that of competing cable-car installations like Patnitop's. Greater Kashmir quoted the Chief Minister saying, "Just because Gulmarg's Gondola runs, it does not mean that gondolas will be equally successful everywhere." Visitor demand, geography and local attractions vary widely across destinations.
The administration is instead assessing potential in each location through consultation with local stakeholders, the Revenue Department and the Forest Department. Kashmir Life reported that the government has begun identifying new tourist destinations in Bandipora constituency and beyond as part of efforts to diversify the tourism circuit and promote lesser-known areas.
Doodhpathri Gets Winter Sports Push and Parking
Doodhpathri is being developed as a winter sports hub rather than a gondola-dependent destination. A drag lift became operational in 2026, offering skiing and other winter activities. Rising Kashmir reported that the government plans to build a tourist transit hub, 400-car parking area and wayside facilities to improve visitor experience.
The administration has identified five sites along the Arigam–Reyar Ich stretch for wayside facilities serving both visitors and local vendors. Administrative approval was granted for the ₹50 lakh project, which had reached the tendering stage. These improvements aim to boost infrastructure without relying solely on high-altitude cable cars.
Jammu Division Gets Broader Tourism Push for Year-Round Visits
The government is positioning Jammu Division as a year-round destination through a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy. Global Kashmir reported that the state aims to develop new and emerging destinations, promote lesser-known circuits, and attract national and international visitors across all seasons. This approach moves beyond winter-dependent cable-car infrastructure.
Abdullah emphasized that successful tourism development requires tailoring projects to each location's unique assets and visitor demand. By diversifying tourism types across multiple destinations, the administration hopes to spread economic benefits and reduce over-reliance on flagship attractions like Gulmarg's gondola.
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