Govt working to simplify registration process for tourism sector: CM

Jammu, Feb 5: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday informed the House that the Government is working to revise and simplify the registration and renewal procedures for tourism-related establishments in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister was replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session 2026–27 of the J&K Legislative Assembly.
He said that the registration and renewal of Guest Houses, Hotels, Homestays, Travel Agencies, Adventure Tour Operators and other tourism-related units are being carried out online.
The Chief Minister further stated that the registration/renewal process falls under the Public Services Guarantee Act. Upon completion of all requisite formalities as per the prescribed checklist, applicants are assured of approval within a stipulated time frame of 30 days through the online system.
Noting that the existing rules governing tourism unit registration were framed in 1978, the Chief Minister said the Tourism Department is in the process of revising the Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Trade Rules to further simplify, rationalize and streamline the entire framework.
“The proposed revisions aim to make the process more transparent, user-friendly and strictly time-bound, thereby reducing procedural delays and improving ease of doing business in the tourism sector,” he said.
Acknowledging concerns raised by Members regarding cumbersome procedures, the Chief Minister said the Government is committed to ensuring that timelines under the Public Services Guarantee Act are followed in letter and spirit.
He also emphasized the need to minimize unnecessary delays and reduce the scope for malpractice by exploring reforms such as self-declaration mechanisms and deemed approvals where permissions are automatically granted if not issued within a specified period.
The Chief Minister said the revised guidelines will comprehensively cover the entire tourism ecosystem, including Hotels, Homestays, Shikaras, Houseboats, Taxis and Buses.
Referring to the closure of certain tourist areas following the Pahalgam attack, the Chief Minister said efforts are underway to reopen them. He added that the matter is being discussed with the Government of India and assured the House that the issue will be taken up with the Union Home Minister during his forthcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, the Chief Minister was replying to a starred question raised by MLA Khanyar Ali Mohammad Sagar regarding the promotion of the tourism sector.
He informed the House that tourism continues to be a significant source of both direct and indirect employment for local youth. He said the Department of Tourism is actively promoting the sector through regular promotional events and festivals across the Union Territory.
“These initiatives create diverse livelihood opportunities by engaging event managers, transport operators, digital content creators, hospitality workers, guides, artisans and other service providers,” he said, adding that such activities contribute to entrepreneurship development and sustainable employment generation.
The Chief Minister also said the Tourism Department regularly outsources assets such as cafeterias, huts, parking areas and entry ticketing, which provides further employment opportunities.
He further noted that the Government has notified simplified procedural guidelines for the registration of Homestays to encourage community participation in tourism, particularly in border and rural areas, thereby ensuring inclusive and region-balanced tourism development across Jammu and Kashmir.
The supplementaries were raised by 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.