J-K tourism dept holding roadshows in Punjab to woo tourists

Presenting picturesque hilltop tourist location Patnitop as a round-the-year destination, the J&K tourism department has launched an aggressive marketing and promotional campaign to woo tourists from Punjab.
"Patnitop, located about 112 km from Jammu along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, is being promoted as an independent tourist circuit and the department is holding road shows in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar," Director Tourism, Jammu, R K Varma said here today.
While the Department held a road show here yesterday, another one in this series will be held in Ludhiana on June 19, in Jalandhar on June 20 and in Amritsar on June 27.

"We want more tourists to visit the Patnitop circuit this year, which we are promoting as round-the-year destination. The tourist influx which we used to receive from Punjab for this circuit has witnessed a marginal decrease and we want to woo them back," he said.
"We are showcasing the true potential of Jammu region in leisure, adventure and eco-tourism by making the general public and the travel trade fraternity of the neighbouring state aware about the natural beauty which lies in abundance here.
"From Patnitop, tourists can also visit Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra. The hoteliers association have announced to give heavy discounts to tourists when they produce bill of hotel stay at Patnitop for booking a hotel at Katra and vice versa," Varma said.

He said from Patnitop, located at an altitude of about 6,640 feet and famous for its lush green meadows and Deodar trees, one can also visit nearby places that include Sanasar, Mantalai, Sudhmahadev, and even Bhaderwah, also referred to as "mini Kashmir" for its scenic beauty, and Kishtwar.
"An International Yoga Centre is coming up at Mantalai," he said.