NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 17- Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi inaugurated the 15 day J&K Tourism Food Craft and Culture festival, a vigorous marketing campaign, here last evening.

Organized by J&K Tourism in collaboration with department of handicrafts, the event has seen participation from various functionaries including JKTDC, SKICC who are displaying their wares and showcasing their products for the visitors.

Among others, Secretary Tourism Farooq A Shah, MD Handloom Development Corporation Showkat Zargar, Deputy Director Publicity Kashmir Peerzada Zahoor, Deputy Director Jammu besides other officials were present on the occasion.

The prime attraction at the festival is the display of State’s varied cuisines including Kashmiri Wazwaan, traditional food items from Ladakh and Jammu regions.

The festival will culminate on December 31, 2016.

Speaking on the occasion, Priya Sethi said J&K has variety of products to offer to varied taste of travelers and the department is equipped with all the facilities to cater to the visitors to the state.

 Sethi said that the department is holding winter carnival and snow festival in Kashmir as part of its busy winter calendar to invite winter tourism lovers and she urged the people to come experience this season in J&K.

Besides, the department will also hold adventure sports activities in Gulmarg and Pahalgam to attract adventure lovers, the Minister added.

 Chairman Hoteliers Club Mushtaq Chaya and President Travel Agents Society of Kashmir Ibrahim Siah were also present on the inaugural day.

It was also informed that the department will organize sponsored road shows from January 13 to March 2, 2017 in collaboration with State’s Travel Trade bodies to promote the tourism of the state.