300 foreign skiers register for winter sports in Gulmarg

Srinagar, Oct 20 (UNI) About 300 skiers from Canada, Australia and other countries in Europe have registered themselves for stay at Gulmarg this winter, indicating that the Kashmir valley would witness a heavy influx of foreign tourists during next few months.

This was informed at a high-level meeting chaired by Tourism Minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir here to review arrangements for winter sports at Gulmarg.

In order to develop Gulmarg as an international ski destination, it was decided to keep services of ski rescue teams available to skiers. A rescue team, comprising of five experts from Australia, would be stationed at Gulmarg.

The team will provide voluntary service to skiers and also train locals and skiers in ski rescue techniques.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mir instructed the JKTDC officials to make the Gulmarg Club vibrant by organising entertainment programmes there. He also directed to operationalise the Health club for visitors.

The meeting was told that the Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation would issue concessional passes to domestic tourists (skiers) at the rate of Rs 300 per day and Rs 500 per day to foreign skiers for Gondola Phase-I during the winter season.

The passes would be provided at the rate of Rs 1500 to domestic tourists and Rs 4000 to foreigners per week.

For Gondola Phase-II, the passes would be issued at the rate of Rs 500 to domestic tourists and Rs 1000 to foreign tourists per day.

UNI FMH AY DS1312