Minister of State for Tourism, Education, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks Priya Sethi today called for taking tourism beyond traditional spots to benefit maximum number of stakeholders to avail the benefit of this lucrative industry.The objective can be achieved by holding extensive promotional activities to showcase varied potential and unexplored places of natural attraction and historical pilgrimages” she said while flagging in the Bikers expedition -2017 here at Jammu Golf Course. The Member Legislative Assembly, Devender Singh Rana, senior functionaries of tourism department and a large number of locals were also present on the occasion.The group of 84 bikers comprising men and woman expeditors and led by Rahul Gupta, the winner of Wranglers True Wanderer, returned here after traversing numerous unexplored places of tourist attraction of mountainous districts of Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Udhampur.The bikers included those from Jammu, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Uttrakhand and other parts of the country.The weeklong Bike Expedition was organized by Tourism department to spread message of Peace and to explore Unseen Tourist Destinations of Jammu region.
On their way, the Bikers explored various tourist destinations enroute while travelling through Surinsar, Mansar, Basholi, Sarthal, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Gulabgarh and Patnitop. Applauding the efforts of Tourism Department, Priya Sethi hoped that the event would go a long way to promote potential tourist places of these areas and spreading the message of peace and brotherhood.The Minister asked the bikers to act as ambassadors and promote the captivating beauty of Jammu region back in their states.Emphasizing the need to explore Jammu region, Priya Sethi said that more such events are needed to be organized to project Jammu as a leisure and adventure tourism destination.She said that Jammu has immense potential and such initiatives will enable to bring virgin tourist destinations on the tourism map of the state and expand the transport industry in the region.Addressing the gathering, MLA Devender Rana lauded the efforts of the Tourism department for organizing such mega event. He said such events showcases tourism potential of the region to its fullest and helps in enhancing the region’s tourism portfolio. He said that Jammu region always welcomes the tourists with open arms and invited the bikers to come again to explore more tourist destinations in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Tourism, Jammu Smita Sethi said the expedition would definitely help in identifying varied unseen areas of Surinsar, Mansar, Basholi, Sarthal, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar and Gulabgarh which have huge tourism potential. She said the core objective of the bikers rally was to promote the concept of adventure tourism in Jammu region.Bikers shared their experience and expressed satisfaction over arrangements made by Tourism department en-route.The Bikers from Chhattisgarh, who were on their all India tour on National Integration Rally for Prosperous India participated in the expedition journey, also conveyed their contentment to Tourism department.Later, mementos and certificates were also presented to the participants by the Minister.The flag-in ceremony was also attended by, Deputy Director Tourism, Showkat Mehmood, Assistant Director Tourism, Subah Mehta, Assistant Director , Rupali Mahajan, Secretary Golf Course Manav Gupta besides other functionaries of Tourism Department.