<span style="color: #222222;">In Jammu and Kashmir, the two day Autumn festival organized by the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir commenced at Pahalgam today afternoon with a traditional opening. The festival would include an exhibition of village crafts drawn from the adjoining village tapestry of cottage craft and handicrafts, cuisine, fruits and other components of village economy. More than 30 stalls displaying traditional art, craft and ethnic cuisine have been set up at the Pahalgam Club.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Addressing the inaugural function, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan said that Jammu & Kashmir has a huge tourism potential which needs to be showcased to the outside world and prospective tourists. He said tourism not only generates jobs and stimulates the economy but it helps in exchange of cultures thus bridging the gaps between people and societies.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Advisor said the Government is very serious to revive tourism in Jammu & Kashmir with all safety precautions. He said the Department has drawn up a calendar of activities for the coming seasons and it hopes that it would give a fillip to tourist activities in the Union Territory.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The events for the second day of festival include a Mountain Biking and Trekking Rally from Pahalgam to Aru organised by Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir and a Golf tournament in the picturesque Lidder Valley Golf Course.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Autumn festival is part of the promotional campaign launched by the Department recently after the COVID-19 restrictions were withdrawn and SOPs were relaxed.</span><br />