Tourism Deptt tapping potential of virgin destinations: Dr. Itoo
GANDERBAL: The cold waters of Sindh today reverberated with activity with the resumption of White Water Rafting from Wussan to Wayil in Ganderbal district after nearly two years.
The Rafting activities were kick started by the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir jointly with Adventure Tour Operators with strict adherence to all Covid-19 related SOPs and protocols.
Director Tourism, Kashmir, Dr. G N Itoo, senior officers of Tourism Department, representatives of Adventure and water sports groups’, white water rafters and many tourists were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director Tourism said White Water Rafting is an important component of Adventure Tourism in J&K and the Department is seriously exploring the possibilities of more adventure tourism avenues across Kashmir so that more youth get employability opportunities besides the tourists visiting J&K get options of adventure activities than routine visits to places of attraction.
Highlighting that Kashmir valley has ample scope for adventure tourism activities, Dr. Itoo said that the Department has started exploring virgin tourist destinations across Kashmir valley so that tourists get diversified options while visiting here and recently in that direction several unexplored trekking routes were also opened for the enthusiastic trekking goers.
The Director Tourism said the Department has carried vaccination campaign to inoculate tourism stakeholders against COVID-19 pandemic. He said as a result of this vigorous campaign around 85% tourism stakeholders got vaccinated. The goal, he said, is to achieve cent per cent vaccination of tourism stakeholders so that once the COVID-19 situation further improves, tourists get the confidence of coming to Kashmir in bigger numbers.
On the occasion, large number of white water rafters participated in and enjoyed the event.