Srinagar, Sept. 18 -- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday assured tourism stakeholders that he will take up their concerns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and push for the reopening of several tourist destinations currently closed for visitors.

Addressing the 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) at the Gulmarg Convention Centre, Omar said the closure of major tourist spots defeats the purpose of promotion.

"On one hand we promote tourism, but on the other, many destinations remain closed. When half of Kashmir is shut for tourism, promotion becomes meaningless. What do we tell the tourists - that you can ride the Gondola but the ATV grounds are closed, or that you can visit Pahalgam...