Srinagar, May 3 : The Tourism Department has conducted an in-depth inspection of the Verinag tourist destination as part of a broader strategy to upgrade facilities and boost visitor numbers, an official said on Sunday.
An official told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) Director Tourism Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajjad, conducted the assessment tour which covered various assets of Tourism Department including Cafeteria, Budget Accommodation Units, Kiosks, Shops and Huts, which are set to be outsourced in the coming days, officials said.
Speaking to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) Director tourism said Verinag, known for its Mughal-era garden and perennial spring, will be actively marketed through digital campaigns, social media influencers and tie-ups with travel aggregators.
He said the department also plans to highlight the site’s historical significance — Emperor Jahangir famously called it the “source of the Jhelum” — to attract heritage and nature tourists. Improved signage, interpretation panels and night illumination are also being considered to enhance the destination’s appeal.
The Director said Verinag will be developed as a halting point on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway with better wayside amenities, clean washrooms and an upgraded cafeteria. Adventure activities such as short trekking routes and photography zones are being explored, he added.
The department is also in discussions with tour operators to include Verinag in curated packages for domestic and international tourists, especially during spring and autumn seasons when the garden is at its peak, Director Sajad said.
On employment generation, he asserted that outsourcing of assets shall certainly create employment opportunities for the youth.
The director said Verinag, which has remained largely underutilised compared to other destinations in the valley, is now being positioned as a model for sustainable tourism-led livelihood generation. (KNS)
