To give an impetus to the tourist footfall at Verinag, one of the scenic tourist places in the district, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr Basharat Qayoom today inaugurated the Verinag Winter Tourism Festival organized by Verinag Development Authority.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that Anantnag is blessed with several tourist hotspots and Verinag holds a special place. He said the spring as well as Verinag garden has been a favorite amongst the tourists for a long time and every effort is being made to equip Verinag with necessary facilities for flow of tourists throughout the year.
He said various stakeholders from the hospitality sector who have played a critical role in organizing this festival have always welcomed tourists with open hearts and the administration has assured them complete support in this endeavour.
“Kashmir is known for its hospitality and to attract the tourists, stakeholders must focus on comfort and hospitality”, said the DC. The DC on the occasion visited the stalls setup by various departments including Agriculture, Fisheries, Horticulture, NGOs, and stakeholders from local industry among others.
He also inspected the stall setup by the Health department and enquired regarding Golden Card registrations in Verinag and adjacent areas. Several colourful cultural programs were presented by various artists and students highlighting the rich heritage of Verinag and the valley in general.
The audience appreciated the performances. The event was attended by President, MC Dooru Verinag Mohd Iqbal, SDM Dooru, CEO VDA, JD Planning and other senior officials.