Excelsior Correspondent
MUMBAI, Feb 24: To facilitate promotion of tourism in Ladakh and to project Kargil as a new tourism destination, a mega initiative has been undertaken by J&K Tourism Department in collaboration with LAHDC Kargil.
The Tourism Department and LAHDC Kargil facilitated setting up Kargil Pavilion at OTM Mumbai-2017 to highlight the rich heritage and culture of Kargil.
The event was inaugurated by Chairman Legislative Council, Haji Anayat Ali who was the chief guest on the occasion. The CEC, LAHDC Kargil, Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan was the guest of honour.
Vice-Chairman JKTDC, Mohammed Rafi Mir, Secretary, Tourism and Floriculture, Farooq Ahmad Shah and Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah were also present on the occasion.
The event was also attended by more than 30 members of All Kargil Travel Trade Association. A large number of people from the travel trade fraternity and general public visited the pavilion.
During the three day event, a road show was also organized jointly by Tourism Department and LAHDC Kargil at Hyatt Regency Mumbai, which was attended by more than 500 dignitaries.
On the occasion, Haji Anayat Ali said it was the dream of former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed to project Kargil as a tourist destination. He also expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti for her all out support in this regard.
Haji Anayat further announced that a mega FAME fest will soon be held at Kargil where all the leading national and international dignitaries of Travel Trade, Media and Film Industry will be invited.
He also announced that two more road shows will be held at Surat and Ahmedabad soon.
Later, Haji Anayat and Kacho Ahmad Ali released the 2nd issue of Kargil Tourism Brochure and launched the official website for Kargil Tourism.
An award ceremony was also held where various travel agencies including Overland Escape of Leh, A Lifetime Trip of Delhi, Shangloo Travels of Kashmir, Trip India Holidays of Delhi and Distant Holidays of Kashmir were awarded for their contribution in projecting Kargil as tourist destination on world map.
OTM organizers being impressed by the virgin beauty of Kargil as portrayed at the event adjudged Kargil as ‘Best Destination’ for 2017 and also conferred ‘Award of Excellence’ on Kargil.