JAMMU (KNO) : Director Tourism Jammu Smita Sethi, KAS ,is a dynamic Bureaucrat. Smita Sethi, KAS, Director Tourism Jammu in a candid conversation with Journalist Mohd Majid Malik spoke about the overall aspects of the tourism sector of Bhaderwah and Chenab Valley .Adventure tourism activities have been introduced and the state is shifting itself from being just a leisure tourism destination.“Bhaderwah presents a unique and complete package for its visitors. We have declared 2018 as Visit Bhaderwah year,” she added.
“I am an optimist, we should remain positive. The tourist flow is gradually picking up in Bhaderwah . It will take time, but I seriously believe it will gain pace,” she added . She also spoke about the various pilgrimage tourism and spiritual tourism which has been a trademark in terms of promoting Bhaderwah and Chenab valley .
Digital promotion also started recently in the last year and meanwhile it has received considerable amount of tweets and response over the social media, she said .She also said the tourism department with the help of the Bhaderwah Development Authority , has planned various activities to woo tourists to the Bhaderwah .
“Some Tour and travel operators inside the state and country have promised to act as tourism ambassadors for hilly tourist destinations of Jammu region this year,” she said.We have been able to improve the services, diversify the places of visit and also diversify the tourism products like introduction of adventure tourism activities.
We have introduced new tourism destinations including some villages to an already long list of must see places. Tourism growth has been there viz-a-viz the per capita income from the tourism sources; this is how I see the growth .Bhaderwah is all braced up for new tourist season as private investors are also pumping money into the sector like never before and this year we will hold more rallies to promote tourism in Bhaderwah .
She also disclosed that tourists in Bhaderwah only face food problem and private people should come forward and said for Bhaderwah this year they will issue a calendar of activities and white river rafting project is also in pipeline .
She also talk about Bhaderwah fort and assured all possible help to Bhaderwah Development Authority to renovate it .(KNO)