Kashmir Tourism Festival kicks off in Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmad Mir today inaugurated a nine-day Kashmir Summer Tourism Festival-2014 here, with an aim to revive tourism in the state.
Activities focused on tourists like adventure, golf, river and eco-tourism would be highlights of the Festival which also showcases the art and culture of the Valley besides offering the traditional Kashmiri cuisine (Wazwaan).
"Kashmir festival is being organised after a long gap with the aim to bring the tourism sector on the revival path. We hope the festival will be a big success for tourism boom as the weather conditions in the Valley are pleasant as compared to the rising temperatures elsewhere," Mir said.

Tourists would be able to experience the local culture and traditions during the festival, the minister said.
"Due to the vastly improved situation in the Valley, Kashmir has experienced a huge increase in tourist influx and it is expected that there will be more increase this year. Heavy rush in the summer is anticipated," he said.
The festival is being organised by the Tourism Department in collaboration with the Department of Handicrafts and its allied departments at Kashmir Haat near the city centre.

Besides recreational facilities, various government departments have set up stalls showcasing handicrafts, handloom products, as well as the art and culture of the Valley.

Different tourist-related activities will be carried out at various tourism spots with focus to highlight adventure, golf, river and eco-tourism in the Valley.
The traditional Kashmiri cuisine (Wazwaan) would also be available at the festival where daily cultural programmes by famous artists would be presented.
Events like paragliding, rock climbing, kids festival and Kashmiri idol has also been organised.
Local service providers such as hoteliers, guest house owners and house-boat owners of the Valley are offering discounts to lure tourists.