New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has asserted that tourism is one of the best means to promote dialogue as it gives ample opportunity to people to know each other better.

"Tourism promotes interactions at people's level, removes misgivings and creates bonds of amity among various sections of society. That is why every tourist visiting the state is a step towards peace," Mehbooba said while interacting with a group of tourists on the sidelines of a three-day snow festival at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg.

Mehbooba asked the guests not to get carried away by what they see on TV channels, but come to experience the truth on their own.

"The impression about the state will improve consequentially with more and more tourist arrivals as they will be judging the place for themselves rather than relying on newsroom discussions of some news channels," she said.

Minister for Tourism Tassaduq Mufti, Afghan Ambassador Shaida Mohammad Abdali, NitiAayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Additional Solicitor General of India PinkiAnand, well-known columnist and British parliamentarian Meghnad Desai, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, and writer RakhshandaJalil were present on the occasion.