Jammu

Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday expressed optimism about the future of tourism in Ladakh, calling it poised to become a year-round destination and an international tourism hub. Speaking after offering prayers at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on his birthday, he highlighted efforts to promote winter tourism and winter sports, including All-India-level winter games.

Gupta said projects such as two proposed gondolas and the ongoing Zojila tunnel construction will boost connectivity and tourism. The tunnel is expected to be completed within a year, providing an additional route for the Amarnath Yatra.

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He also spoke on employment generation, noting that Ladakh has 18,000 government employees and around 13,000 MSME groups employing nearly 50,000 people. Strengthening the homestay sector is another focus to accommodate tourists, particularly bikers.