Tasaduq Rasheed

Pahalgam, Jan 02 (KNS): Commissioner Secretary to the government, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism department, Sarmad Hafeez on Sunday said that Pahalgam is a wonderful destination and the winter carnival there was a perfect start to the New Year.

Talking exclusively to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Hafeez said that it was wonderful to start the New Year with a winter carnival at Pahalgam and it was definitely a good omen. 

“The beauty, openness, clean air of Pahalgam is a perfect place for the people all over the country to come and visit here. The brightness here itself speaks a lot that how much people are loving the place. There is so much brightness and festivity in Pahalgam which indicates that how welcoming and hospitable the local people are,” he said.

He said that the department is looking forward for good influx of tourists this year as well as was in year 2021. “The department is carrying forward the tourism keeping in view all the COVID protocols. All the tourists visiting here are fully vaccinated, besides following all the SOP’s,” he added.

He further said that Pahalgam is a summer destination but this year winter tourism has been started here which is a good sign and due to this winter tourism lots of tourists are visiting Pahalgam.

“The department of tourism took an initiative along with the hoteliers and locals to celebrate the beauty of Pahalgam. The celebration at Pahalgam is a declaration for being one of the most beautiful winter destinations in the world,” Hafeez said.

He also said that this year government has decided to keep open all the beautiful destinations in winter besides Gulmarg. 

“Sonamarg will also be open this year in winters along with all the other tourist destinations. The department is making efforts to provide varied experience to tourists by keeping all the destinations open so that they can enjoy the beauty of the places,” he said. (KNS)