The government is planning a host of tourism-related activities in the coming months to increase footfalls as the tourist season is about to peak in the Kashmir valley.
While tourists enjoyed free pony and anti-terrain vehicle (ATV) rides at Gulmarg yesterday, the government is focusing on keeping tourists engaged in recreational activities so that they leave with good memories. Through such activities, the government is hopeful that the tourists would share pleasant experiences once they go back to their respective places and thus encourage more people to visit Kashmir.
“We organised the Spring Carnival in Gulmarg yesterday that attracted a lot of tourists. As it is our responsibility to keep tourists engaged in recreational activities, the visitors got 100 free pony rides besides free ATV rides. At Kangdoori, snow scooter and sledge races were held and all activities happened amid fresh snowfall, adding beauty to the carnival,” said Deputy Director, Tourism, Peerzada Zahoor Ahmad.
Director, Tourism, Kashmir Mahmood A. Shah said more such events would be held as the tourist season is expected to peak in May-June. “We will organise more activities in the coming season so that tourists enjoy their stay here and also get to see different tourism products we have to offer,” said Shah.
As the government is making all-out efforts to woo Bollywood to revive Kashmir’s link with the Hindi film industry, director and actor Imran Khan too was present at the Gulmarg carnival.
Peerzada said Khan was in the Valley to shoot for “Sargoshiyan” and more than 10 other movies would be shot next month. “Several producers and directors have approached us… around 10 to 20 shootings of Bollywood and South Indian films are scheduled in May,” he said.
Valley beckons tourists with carnivals
