Kashmir’s tourism department has launched a Srinagar City Heritage Tour Bus service to offer travellers the opportunity to visit some of the most culturally significant attractions in the region. The staff is fully vaccinated, and strict COVID-19 protocols will be adhered to for all activities. By Eshita Srinivas
Travellers keen on discovering the stunning natural and cultural landscape of Srinagar can sign up for the tour by the Srinagar City Heritage Tour Bus service, which is in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC). On the itinerary are heritage and handicraft sites as well as the best spots for a taste of local cuisine. The commissioner secretary of tourism Sarmad Hafeez and the director of tourism Dr Ghulam Nabi Itoo relaunched the service after 28 years at Zabarwan Park in Srinagar in light of National Tourism Day. They hinted at several fun activities being added to the experience in the near future.
Night skiing and night shikara experiences might be added to the Srinagar tour bus service
The bus service will begin from Zabarwan Park and take tourists to important spots like Burzhama, Chatipadshahi, Jamia Masjid, Hazratbal, Hariparbat, Boulevard, Buddhist Site Harwan, Nishat Garden, Pari Mahal amongst other destinations, Rising Kashmir reports. Hafeez also hinted at the possibility of night skiing and night shikara rides being added to the itinerary, both of which are must-have experiences in the valley.
Jammu & Kashmir Govt launches ‘Srinagar City Heritage Tour Bus Service. Tourism deptt starts cross country tours at Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, other famous tourist spots @JandKTourism pic.twitter.com/N6FStXxHAy
— Kashmir News (@Kashmirnews22) January 25, 2022
The government is also working under a well-planned strategy to ensure that all tourist destinations and resorts remain open during the long winter season. The staff has been vaccinated with two doses and is ensuring adherence to safety norms for the comfort of the tourists.
The deptt of Tourism J&K takes the Shikara experience one step further. Come experience a ride on these beautifully lit up shikaras, floating ethereally on the Dal Lake. A truly spectacular sight to behold!#NationalTourismDay #DekhoApnaDesh pic.twitter.com/ocFYcvA5ix
— Jammu & Kashmir Tourism (@JandKTourism) January 25, 2022
This comes as a major boost to the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir, which has suffered due to the pandemic. The fact that the bus service has also been restarted after over 28 years, makes it an important, landmark event. Reflecting on this, Itoo said, “Restart of the Heritage bus service in Srinagar is a major boost for tourism, the visitors can board the bus at one stop destination at Zabarwan Park and can witness beautiful scenic heritage sites in Srinagar,” as per a report by Kashmir Observer.
To mark the occasion a family tour group from Maharasthra who was visiting was taken on a heritage tour of the city. The tourism department also simultaneously launched tours at Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Aru Valley, Doodhpathri, Baderwah and other popular destinations.
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