Secretary Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah this morning flagged off 17th Raid De Himalaya, motor rally here at Royal Spring Golf Course, in which 240 cars and bikes are participating. The rally that commenced at Shimla on October 11 passed through Manali, Delhozi, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah reached Srinagar on October 13 via Sinthan Top. The rally today proceeded for Drass, Sanku via Amballa pass to Rangdum and will be back on October 16.Such events are organized aiming to promote Adventure Tourism, said Secretary Tourism, adding the State of Jammu and Kashmir is having highest number of tracks available for such an activity.
He said Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who also holds the portfolio of Tourism, is keen to promote all kinds of tourism activities including Adventure Tourism in the State, to attract maximum foreign as well as domestic tourists. He said all out efforts are being made by the department to explore adventure tourism tracks in the State. He said promotion of such activities is one of the top most priorities of the department.Farooq Shah said that Adventure Tourism is considered a high end tourism activity, adding that initiatives have been taken to cater to the needs of high end foreign as well as domestic tourists visiting the State for the purpose. He said participants will be our Ambassadors, who will propagate the message about adventure sports and tracks available in the State. He said department is trying its best to meet requirements of the tourists coming for Adventure Tourism.