The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, on Tuesday organised a Heritage walk to mark the National Tourism Day here from Ambaran (Buddhist Site) to JioPotaGhat, Akhnoor.A group of 30 participants was flagged off jointly by Director Tourism, Jammu, VivekanandRai and Superintendent Archeologist, Srinagar Circle, Jammu Izhar Alam Hashmi and Deputy Director Tourism, Jammu Naresh Kumar.The motive of organising this Heritage Walk was to promote the historic sites in and around Jammu particularly Akhnoor which is home to several historical sites such as Ambaran (Budhist Site), Akhnoor Fort, Guru Dwara Sundar Singh Sahib, Pandav Guffa, Jio Pota and Kameshwar Temple.The participants were taken to historical sites of Akhnoor to showcase the rich heritage of Town from where Dogra Rule Started.On the occasion, the Director Tourism Jammu said that professional guides from Archaeological Survey of India were invited to explain the historical importance of Budhist site at Ambaran and other places.
It was also informed that many more promotional events are in pipeline especially to hilly areas to highlight the potential of Winter Sports in Jammu Division viz skiing, sledging and Ice-Skating.The Director Tourism, Jammu further informed that one more adventure sport event viz skiing and sledging is going to be held at Patnitop by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu.The participants of the heritage walk were Traveller Bloggers, Travel Agents, Travel Writers and other stakeholders of Travel Trade. Several participants welcomed the move and said that the resumption of such activities by the Tourism Department post COVID will bring a good tourist footfall at these sites and compensate the loss suffered by the tourism sector to large extent.”Chander Bushan, Travel Enthusiast and Vlogger said that he was excited for being the part of this Heritage Walk and appreciated the effort of the Tourism Department. Naresh Kumar, Dy Director Tourism, Publicity, Varinder Gupta, SDM, Akhnoor besides other senior officers/officials of the Tourism Department were also present on the occasion.