SRINAGAR, Nov 1: The most significant and historical period in the tourism history of Kashmir was witnessed when 22 High Commissioners and Ambassadors from various 22 countries visited Kashmir valley for participating in Autumn Ambassadors Golf Trophy.
After the successful two-day visit, the visiting dignitaries were given affectionate farewell at an impressive function held at Darbar Hall of Grand Palace today. The Tourism Department, Kashmir, Information Department, J&K Scouts Association paid warm farewell to the visiting dignitaries who were representing their countries and who will convey their feelings to the billions of the people about the beauty of Kashmir bestowed by God and will help in attracting millions of tourists to Kashmir.
High Commissioners and Ambassadors included Col. Alex Capina of Philipines, Brian G. Bowler of Malawi, Nguyen Thong Binh of Vietnam, Jonathan of Zimbabwe, Marten Kapewasha of Namibia, Lybounkham of Loab, Carlos Abad of Ecuador, Javier Paullinch of Peru, Francis Moloi of South Africa, Wenchyiong of Taiwan, Moukhariq Larbi of Morocco, Millena Santana of Venezuela, SH Ann of Korea, Cidton Christians of South Africa, Seelan Moodley of South Africa, John Alfrado Pinto of Columbia, Tarcisius Eri of Papua Guinea, Frank Den Burg of Dominican Republic and Maqsood of Bangladesh and others.
Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, Director Tourism Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director Information and Public Relations, Khawaja Farooq Ahmad Renzu, Dean of ambassadors of 22 countries, Training Commissioner, J&K Scouts and other dignitaries and all the Ambassadors and High Commissioners were present on the occasion.
The Tourism Minister said that J&K government is very serious to revive the tourism activities in the state particularly in the Kashmir valley, which was affected during recent past. He said God has bestowed the Valley with extra-ordinary natural beauty and it thrives move when people from all over the world arrive here to appreciate this God's gift, which has been named as paradise on earth. He said that the tourists from all parts of country are now regularly visiting Valley as tourists but new campaign has been launched to attract tourists from abroad also as they were arriving two decades before. He said that he is delighted that Autumn Ambassadors Golf Tournament provided an opportunity to attract such dignitaries whose presence in the Valley is a message to the world that Kashmir tourism is back on the track and people can visit this place without any inhibition.
He said these High Commissioners and Ambassadors can convey their personal feelings to billions of people of their countries about our tourism and hospitality of the people.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani said that no doubt Ambassadors of 22 countries have visited this Valley who represent their countries but we are confident that after personally experiencing their stay in the Valley and their experience while playing Ambassadors Golf Tournament, they will become our ambassador when they go back for conveying message to their people that Kashmir tourism is open for all without any problem. He said these Ambassadors could be able to erase the impressions unfortunately gone world over, about the situation in the Valley which affected flow of tourists to a large extent. He hoped that due to the visit of these dignitaries the dream of revival of old tourism glory will positively become a reality.
He hoped that now after their actual arrive to the Valley and free movement to all health resorts and interaction with people of Kashmir will prove helpful in communicating the real facts and restoring the confidence of foreign tourists for their visit to Kashmir.
Director Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director Information and PR Khawaja Farooq Ahmad Renzu and Training Commissioner J&K Scouts complimented the High Commissioners/Ambassadors and paid affectionate farewell to them and hoped they will come again and again to the Valley. They also presented bouquets to the visiting dignitaries.
Dean of the 22 High Commissioners and Ambassadors said on the occasion that he has gone worldwide but never found any place beautiful place like Kashmir. People are so nice and hospitable that they have no parallel anywhere. He said he is telling this on behalf of 22 High Commissioners/Ambassadors of 22 countries that Kashmir is the world's only best destination where God has shown his generosity while decorating all nook and corner of the Valley with heavenly beauty. He said, he only heard that Kashmir is paradise but today when 22 High Commissioners/Ambassadors visited this Valley, we are unanimous that it is not only paradise but such a magnetic abode which makes a person to believe that God has created this piece of land as ideal part of the world.
He said this notion makes us to believe that we have visited this paradise so far and now we should visit this frequently. He said we all will convey our experiences to the people of our countries so that they also are able to enjoy heavenly atmosphere of this great Valley. He said his experiences of his all High Commissioners/Ambassadors while playing Autumn Golf Tournament is unique which cannot be expressed in words. He said the joy and happiness which they experienced in Valley is beyond imagination and expression.
The Dean assured Jora and Wani that their visit will prove more fruitful for the people of Kashmir as they will be communicating their own experiences to the people of their countries who will be advised to visit this beautiful Valley in free and frank manner.
[Kashmir Times]
Posted on 02 Nov 2009 by
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