Click to play videoSonmarg: The first Kashmir Cup International Rafting Championship is on and it's giving tourists a whole new reason to visit the Valley.
It's called the meadow of gold and enjoying the gold in the meadow are 160 rafters including 35 foreigners, a clear boost to the tourism in the valley ravaged by fear.
However, for those getting soaked in the freezing cold water, it is important to prevent oneself from hypothermia.
"The water is much colder and it is very important to have a good equipment for rafting. But otherwise, I think the river is very beautiful and it's a friendly water that is good for beginners as well,” says Czech Republic Women's Team, Yaohan.
Hosted by the Tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian Rafting Association, it has given a chance to the local rafters to rub shoulders along with international sportspersons.
"We get to learn new things from them. We have also been participating in it, but then, that was only at a national level. Now, we will get the international exposure,” says member of the Indian Army’s rafting team, Reyaz Ahmad.
The Kashmir tourism department seem to be sending out the right message to woo back the tourists, who in the last three weeks had been giving a miss to the valley because of the land row at the heart of Baltal, close to the valley.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
