The foothill of Zabarwan mountain overlooking the Dal Lake and Asia's largest tulip garden in Srinagar has added another fivestar jewel to its beauty - a 'Taj'. The
Taj Resorts and Palaces inaugurated Vivanta by Taj, a five-star hotel, atop Kralsangri hill on Sunday.
The hotel, the first of its kind in the state, is a blend of modern and traditional architecture and is spread over six acres. It has 89 rooms, including suites, presidential suite, restaurants, spa and fitness centres, besides banquet facilities and a business centre.
The hotel is owned by Saifco group, local entrepreneurs, and managed by the Taj Group.
Inaugurating the hotel, chief minister Omar Abdullah said: "A long held dream has finally been cherished today."
The work on the project started during Farooq Abdullah's government in the 1980s. However, it was abandoned after armed insurgency erupted in the state in 1989.
"We had to wait for more than a decade for this property to be finally completed. Over the past three years, I've seen it develop and some of its part demolished to meet international standards," he said.
He had a word of caution too.
"There is no other greater risk in this state than to go for tourism. But the establishment of this hotel will send a message to other international hotel groups that the situation in Kashmir is gradually improving. The opening of this hotel will bring better times and peaceful times, which will be remembered for the completion of the tourism season rather than its abrupt end," he said.
Omar said he would look at possibilities of developing tourism destinations in other parts of the state also.
"We thank the Taj for showing the courage to come here. My understanding is that 80 per cent of the hotel's staff comprises locals. Youngsters now have opportunities to work not only with hotels of international standards in the Valley but also in other parts of the world," he added.
Union minister for new and renewable energy Farooq Abdullah asked other hoteliers to learn from the Taj. He also appreciated the Taj group for "wonderfully" renovating the Taj Hotel in Mumbai after the 26/11 terror attacks.
"The remnants of the tragedy have been wiped out. The structure has been renovated in such a way as if nothing happened there. We should take lessons from it. There are hotels that don't even remove the sheets after guests vacate," he said.
Farooq said he would work to increase the number of flights between Srinagar and Leh, which would help to increase the tourist influx in the state.
Courtesy: Mail Today 
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