Jammu, February 5: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that the government is working to simplify and streamline the registration and renewal procedures for tourism-related establishments across the Union Territory.
Replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session 2026–27, the Chief Minister said that registrations and renewals of guest houses, hotels, homestays, travel agencies, adventure tour operators and other tourism units are currently processed through an online system.
He stated that the process falls under the Public Services Guarantee Act, which ensures that applications meeting the prescribed requirements are approved within a fixed timeframe of 30 days.
Noting that the existing rules governing tourism registrations date back to 1978, Abdullah said the Tourism Department is revising the Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Trade Rules to make the framework more transparent, user-friendly and efficient. The proposed changes, he said, are aimed at reducing procedural delays and improving the ease of doing business in the tourism sector.
Acknowledging concerns raised by members about cumbersome procedures, the Chief Minister said the government is committed to strict adherence to timelines under the Public Services Guarantee Act. He added that reforms such as self-declaration mechanisms and deemed approvals are being explored to minimize delays and curb the scope for malpractice.
The revised guidelines, he said, will cover the entire tourism ecosystem, including hotels, homestays, shikaras, houseboats, taxis and buses.
Referring to the closure of certain tourist destinations following the Pahalgam attack, Abdullah said efforts are underway to reopen these areas. He added that the matter is being discussed with the Government of India and will be taken up with the Union Home Minister during his upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, responding to a starred question by MLA Khanyar Ali Mohammad Sagar on tourism promotion, the Chief Minister said the sector remains a major source of direct and indirect employment for local youth. He noted that the Tourism Department regularly organizes promotional events and festivals across the Union Territory, generating livelihood opportunities for event managers, transport operators, digital creators, hospitality workers, guides and artisans.
He added that outsourcing of assets such as cafeterias, huts, parking facilities and ticketing services by the department also creates employment. Simplified guidelines for homestay registrations have been introduced to encourage community participation in tourism, particularly in border and rural areas, ensuring inclusive and balanced regional development.
Supplementary questions were raised by several legislators, including Ali Mohammad Sagar, Altaf Ahmed Kalloo, Nazir Ahmed Khan, Salman Sagar, Tanvir Sadiq, Farooq Ahmed Shah, Saif-ud-din Bhat, Shakti Raj Parihar, Balwant Mankotia, Javid Ahmed Mirchal and Nizamuddin Bhat.
