Time to live with virus, say stakeholders

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 27

From reopening of Gulmarg Gondola to holding of sports activities at the Dal Lake, some buzz returned at the tourist spots of the Valley on Sunday on the occasion of World Tourism Day.

Several sports and cultural activities were held and the stakeholders sent a fresh invite to tourists even as the sector has taken a severe hit during the past one year.

“There has been an impression among travellers that on arrival, they may have to be under quarantine, but we have made it very simple and easy for them. On arrival, their tests will be conducted within five minutes and then they will be allowed to proceed towards their holiday destination. We will also ensure that all SOP guidelines are maintained while allowing tourism activities,” Tourism Secretary Sarmad Hafeez said while inviting tourists to Kashmir.

Boost kashmir travel industry

It is time to live with the virus and invite travellers across India to support Kashmir tourism.

—Farooq A Kuthoo, President, Travel agents association of kashmir

He made the comments during a function at the Dal Lake after flagging off a shikara rally.

Days before the abrogation of Article 370, the sector had taken a blow after the government’s security advisory on August 2, 2019 asked the tourists and Amarnath yatris to curtail their stay in the Valley. Last year’s lockdown was then followed by the Covid lockdown in March.

Demonstrations of kayaking, canoe slalom, canoe sprint and motorboat surfing besides cultural programmes were also held at the Dal Lake. Another mountain bikers’ off-road trail to Doodpathri in the central Kashmir was also held while the popular Gondola Section-I too was opened for weekends.

Nisar Wani, Director, Tourism, said by holding a range of activities at the spot, they had sent a message that they welcomed the tourists with all Covid SOPs. Farooq A Kuthoo, president, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), said it was time to ‘live with the virus’. “It is time to live with the virus and invite travellers across India to support Kashmir tourism. The government should hold more promotional activities,” he said.