The ski resort Gulmarg remained abuzz amid sub-zero temperatures with a host of activities organised by Directorate of Tourism on New Year eve.

The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Sh. Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, who was the chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated the activities with night skiing at 6pm to begin the New Year celebrations.

Director Tourism Kashmir Mr. Nisar A Wani, CEO Gulmarg, Inam ul Haq, Joint Director Tabassum Kamili, Deputy Director Ideel Saleem,  Assistant Director Gulmarg Javed ur Rehman and senior officers from the department and district administration besides the representatives from travel trade and hotel association bodies.

Scores of tourists from across the country who were already holidaying in Gulmarg turned up at the venue to enjoy the night skiing exhibition. The tourists along with the skiers and stakeholders also participated in other fun-filled activities including bonfire, fireworks etc, on the slopes which lasted till midnight.

Gulmarg also wore a festive look with the illumination of the golf club, ski shops and other venues where several functions were held to entertain the tourists and other local visitors.

The main function was held at Golf Club where artists enthralled the audiences with their beautiful cultural, music and skit performances to bid adieu to the year 2020 and welcome the New Year 2021.

Renowned artists from the Valley including stand up comedians  Nazir Josh performed at the Club which captivated the attention of the audiences.

The department of tourism had also made elaborate arrangements for the exhibition of Kashmir’s famed arts and craft products, street food and cuisine at various stalls.

On the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner interacted with skiers who were recently trained by the tourism department for the beginners course.

The Divisional Commissioner also extended New Year greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and wished for happiness and prosperity for everyone.

In his New Year greetings message, Div Com hoped that the new year will be a year of peace, harmony, progress.

He urged the people of the country to visit J&K with their friends and relatives to enjoy their holidays and hospitality and love of the Kashmiris here.

He appreciated the efforts of the department in organising such courses free of cost for the locals who were drawn mostly from the government schools.

He also expressed his happiness over the increased flow of travellers to the ski resort and hoped that the New Year will be best for the business community especially for the travel and hospitality sector which were hit badly due to the ongoing pandemic.

Director Tourism Kashmir also extended his New Year  greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the new year is beginning with a renewed hope.

He said ski resort Gulmarg is jam packed with the tourists on New Year which was possible as a result of the department’s continued efforts to promote Kashmir as a safe destination in the ongoing pandemic.