Srinagar, Nov 2: Secretary tourism, Nayeem Akhter said on Sunday that his department is launching a vigorous publicity campaign across the world this year to promote winter tourism in Kashmir and Ladakh division.

“The winter season in Kashmir and Ladakh has remained understated and the department of tourism wants to introduce these places as genuine claimant for winter tourism,” Nayeem said on the onset of Kashmir Polo match-2008 played in valley after a gap of 61 years at S P College here. 
The tourism secretary, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said these destinations would be projected in comparison with the winter destinations of Europe. “The Kashmir and Ladakh shall become the preferred destination for winter tourism in the world,” Nayeem added.

Addressing the visiting delegations of tour operators from other states, Nayeem sought their support and cooperation in promoting the tourism in Kashmir and other divisions. 

“I appeal the tour operators to dispel the myths about Kashmir situation wrongly projected by some of the media channels,” he said, adding the operators shall help the tourism department in building the tourism industry to its maximum potential. 

He said the polo games, which had become history, would be frequently organised in Kashmir from next year. “Not only the state and national polo championships will be held, but the department will try to organize international events,” he added. 
“The game of polo has an affiliation with Kashmir and was played at Polo Ground. I am happy that the department has revived the polo also called King of Games,” Nayeem added. 

The director tourism, Farooq Shah who pioneered in holding the event after many decades while speaking on the occasion, said a global derby would be also organised in the month of March. 

Terming the event as a step towards revival of century’s old sport and a major effort for promoting quality tourism, Shah said, “The department of tourism in its endeavour to preserve the heritage and revive age old traditions and attract tourists has launched several ambitious projects and schemes and revival of traditional sports is one among them.” The restoration of historic Ali Masjid and other religious places within and outside will give boost to the pilgrim tourism, he added.

About the winter games, he said the Gulmarg would remain the focus in the winter months as the department would be holding national level skiing championship there.

He said the polo in Kashmir was played during the British period at Polo View which attracted scores of Europeans during the world War IInd. “However, after the war, the game of polo showed decline in Kashmir leaving behind the symbolic Polo Ground and its street,” the director tourism added.
 

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