Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir (ATOAK) and J&K Ski and Mountaineering Association (JKSMA) have hailed the government decision to open new trekking routes in district Kargil.
In a joint statement, ATOAK and JKSMA hailed the governmentfor clearing the decks to open some new routes for trekking and cultural tourswhich will prove a great step towards the development of adventure and culturaltourism in Kargil, Suru, Zanaskar, Darchik, Brok and Batalik valleys.
President ATOAK RaufTramboo while appreciating the decisionsaid, “Opening of the new areas of Kargil for adventure will not only boost therecreational tourism to that place but Kashmir, Ladakh and areas of Chenabvalley of Jammu as a whole will also get benefited. This area has hugepotential for adventure, culture and border tourism. This will not only bringthis beautiful area on the international tourism map but will also prove a gamechanger in socio-economic upliftment of the people living in these areas.”
However, he said that government should also open the Mashkovalley which connects Gurez valley with Drass.
ATOAK and JKSMA also reiterated the demand of restoring thepost of Director General Tourism (DGT) which becomes now more relevant becauseDGT can bridge the gap between the three divisions while updating and keepingan eye on the services and new products presented to the domestic andinternational tourists.