JAMMU, Feb 18 ; The upcoming Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) are poised to act as a significant catalyst for promoting winter tourism in the Kashmir Valley, a senior tourism official said on Wednesday, expressing optimism that the event will surpass the success of its previous editions.
Joint Director of Tourism, Kashmir, Waseem Raja highlighted the collaborative efforts of the administration in ensuring the seamless conduct of the games, which are scheduled to take place at premier destinations including the ski-resort of Gulmarg.
“In this, the whole administration, the whole government machinery, the tourism department, youth service, sports department and all departments, we work as a team to ensure that these games are conducted successfully,” Raja told News Agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).
He emphasized that the event transcends its sporting framework, serving as a platform to showcase the region’s winter tourism potential to participants arriving from various states.
“It’s not only a sports event, it’s a winter tourism event in which participants from different states come. They become, we always wish that they become our brand ambassadors and spread the message of positivism and hospitality,” he said.
Raja stated that the games play a pivotal role in engaging local youth with winter and adventure sports, while simultaneously reinforcing a message of normalcy to the outside world. He asserted that the successful organisation of the event would provide a substantial boost to the tourism sector, particularly in destinations like Gulmarg.
“Look, it has definitely sent a very, very strong and positive message. And our [Resort] and other places which are open, definitely it will give a boost to the tourism sector. Our focus will be on winter tourism,” the Joint Director added.
Raja stated that the department, in collaboration with the Union Territory administration, is working aggressively to ensure a robust tourist footfall in the upcoming spring and summer seasons by participating in various domestic and international events.
“J&K Tourism Department, in collaboration with the stakeholders and the government of Jammu and Kashmir, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that in the spring and summer, there is a decent footfall in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added. (KNS)
