Srinagar, Nov 25 (KNS): The department of tourism Kashmir has kick started weekend festivals named as ‘Valley Weekends’ to provide tourists the local experience and make them enjoy the vacations with the host of activities that are on offer on each Saturday and Sunday.
To begin with, the department on Saturday organised theater show at natural locations of Mughal Garnden, Shalimar, during the day time which was followed by musical evening at SKICC where local emerging bands performed to enthrall the audience including the tourists.
Large gathering of locals, tourists, members from travel trade and hospitality sector besides the officials from department of tourism, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages were present at both the functions.
Besides engaging the locals and the tourists with the entertainment, the department has included sports activities like mountain biking, canoeing, rowing while continuing the theater show at Shalimar Garden for Sunday.
The ‘Valley Weekends’ are being organised to boost tourist flow in autumn, engage local youth and also entertain visitors who are in Valley for holidaying.
The festivals have been organised in autumn which usually is a lean tourist season in Kashmir.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah said that ‘Valley Weekends’ will help keep youth engaged and entertain tourists with the activities and make Kashmir a lively place for tourists.
“Tourists mostly come here for sightseeing and they don’t mince words to praise the beauty here. However, they are missing the activities and entertainment. Most of the tourists visit Mughal Gardens and Dal Lake were we have organised musical and theater events in addition to sports and adventure activities this weekend so that the visitors to these places enjoy not only beauty but our culture also,” said Director Tourism Kashmir
These events are also aimed to send a positive message across the globe that Kashmir is a safe and a tourist-friendly place.
“The campaign will run through the winter season during which we will organise host of cultural, musical events besides competitions in poetry and painting. The adventure lovers can enjoy fishing, snow marathons, skiing, cycling, and snow-shoe running.”
The attention of the visitors will also be drawn to the local heritage and food.
Recently, the department organised heritage walk in downtown which will also continue in future besides there will be food festival to promote local cuisine.
“There is an impression that autumn is a lean tourist season in Kashmir and no activity happens here. However, autumn is the most beautiful season when we have riot of colors which give Kashmir an enchantingly beautiful look. These activities will help turn Kashmir a lively place,” said Dir Tourism Kashmir.
The department is also gearing up for hectic carnival this winter at ski resort Gulmarg and also at Pahalgam. (KNS)