Rameez Makhdoomi
Few weeks backs, an impressive snowfall announced the end of one of the longest dry spells in Kashmir history. Since then snowfall is in Kashmir is a regular feature bringing smiles back to the people of Kashmir, especially those associated with tourism and travel trade. With impressive snow and dull tourism activities in summer in Kashmir due to political turbulence, it was desperately felt that winter tourism promotion is needed to boost economy and attract more tourists .Tourism is an important, even vital, source of income for many regions and countries. Its importance was recognized in the Manila Declaration on World Tourism of 1980 as “an activity essential to the life of nations because of its direct effects on the social, cultural, educational, and economic sectors of national societies and on their international relations.†Striking the right chords, Jammu and Kashmir tourism department has gone ahead with the organizing of 15-day-long festival which will now be held from February 1 which had to earlier start on January 22 but due to heavy snowfall and avalanche warning had to be postponed to February 1. From world class skiing competitions , ice hockey to snow cricket to snow sculpting, the world famous Gulmarg is gearing up to welcome domestic and foreign tourists in this 15-day-long snow festival. Pertinently, Gulmarg snow festival was started in 2003 to promote and encourage winter sports and tourism here. Also, in a related development , the first of its kind Snow Off Road motor competition for 4×4 cars concluded here at Gulmarg .A total of 38 participants competed in the event in which all the participants were supposed to cover the designated 2-kilomtre track within shortest period of time crossing all the hurdles and obstacles. Tourism Department is taking all steps to change the dynamics of winter tourism positively. Manzoor Ahmad, a commoner stated: “Situated at an altitude of 2,650 meters, Gulmarg is famous for its lush green meadows, world class peaks which is the biggest draw for the skiers during winter. It is heartening that Tourism Department is taking all steps to promote the concept of winter tourism especially in Gulmarg so that tourists are attracted and locals benefit.†Undoubtedly, a series of snow events organized by the Tourism Department Kashmir is changing the dynamics of tourism in Kashmir positively.
