<span style="color: #222222;">World Tourism Day was celebrated across Kashmir today with a number of functions marking the occasion while following the COVID-19 protocol.<br />''<br />''In this regard, the main function by the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir was held at Nehru Park Srinagar which comprised a shikara race, demonstrations of Kayaking, Canoeing sports including canoe slalom, canoe sprint and motorboat.<br />''<br />''Secretary, Youth Services & Sports and Tourism, Sarmad Hafeez presided over the function.<br />''<br />''Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary Tourism assured the tourism stakeholders that the department is committed to promote the sector in a big way in the coming times.<br />''<br />''He assured full support to the tourism players in this regard. He said on World Tourism Day, the Department pledges its solidarity with the stakeholders in bringing the sector out of the present COVID times.<br />''<br />''Terming Dal lake as the identity of Kashmir and its tourism, Sarmad Hafeez said that this place has been the central point of Kashmir tourism since decades and centuries.<br />''<br />''On the occasion, he flagged off a Shikara Race in the Dal lake. Wearing traditional attire (pheran), over 50 boatmen participated in the Shikara Race giving Dal Lake a festive early morning look.<br />''<br />''Later the Secretary Tourism also distributed prizes among the winners of the Shikara competition.<br />''<br />''Director Tourism, Kashmir, Nisar Ahmad Wani while speaking on the occasion said the department has already started tourism promotional campaigns to send a message that Kashmir is open for tourists.<br />''<br />''He said by celebrating the World Tourism Day today, the Department has sent a message that Kashmir is ready to welcome the tourists with all Covid-19 protocols and SOPs.<br />''<br />''An important attraction of the event was a presentation of Kashmiri music by renowned artists and surfing event by two young water sportspersons.<br />''<br />'' Earlier in the day, the Secretary Tourism also flagged off a  rally of Mountain Bikers at TRC from Srinagar to Doodpathri.<br />''<br />''Mountain Bikers drove to Doodpathri to mark the day. The highlight of the rally was the participation of a 84 year cyclist, Ghulam Rasool who had come with all enthusiasm and determination to attend the event.<br />''<br />''Reports of celebrating World Tourism Day were received from various tourist destinations like Sonmarg, Pahalgam and Gulmarg and Tourist Development Authorities across Kashmir with varied campaigns like sanitation drives, conservation campaigns and other events being highlights of the day.</span><br />