‘Best Offbeat Destination’: Tour operators give a ‘#GoGurez’ shout-out after Outlook Traveller award

Srinagar: After bagging the ‘Outlook Traveller’ award, Gurez in Kashmir’s Bandipora district has started to figure majorly in the itineraries of national tour and travel groups.

Though Gurez had already started catching the attention of adventure tourists of late, the ‘Outlook Traveller’ award has given a much-needed push to the government’s efforts to promote border tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Proud Moment. Winner of Best Offbeat Destination in India. #GoGurez. Are you still waiting…Join us from 03-09 September for our next offbeat trip to Gurez Valley (sic),” wrote ‘Travel Bezzie’ on its Facebook page.

Tasnim Merchant of ‘Mariya Tours & Travels’ said Gurez was among the least explored destinations of Kashmir while sharing tour package details of their next Valley trip.

“Gurez Valley is one of the least explored regions of Kashmir and the one that can truly be called an offbeat destination. It is a place of high scenic beauty that does not get the attention that it truly deserves. The vistas and the natural beauty of the mountains that you see here are very different than what you will see elsewhere,” the Facebook post said.

J&K Tourism on Wednesday received the award for the promotion of offbeat destinations at the national level during the Outlook Traveller Awards 2022. The award was presented by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, G Kisan Reddy to Secretary, Tourism, Sarmad Hafeez

Apart from the national tour operators, Valley-based groups too have now joined the chorus to promote Gurez more vociferously.

“Congratulations #Gurez gets Gold Award for best offbeat Tourist Destination in India at an award function organized by “Outlook Traveller Magazine” at Delhi. Credit goes to District Administration, Tourism Department, Media, and youth of Gurez. For more details about this beautiful place Gurez valley login to www.gurezvalley.in #gogurez (sic),” @gurezvalley.in wrote on its Instagram page.

The award has also cheered up the local stakeholders, especially the ones promoting adventure tourism in Kashmir.

“Getting awards in recognition of work done for promoting adventure tourism is heartwarming. It is truly heartening and a moment of joy for all of us working for adventure tourism in Kashmir. I compliment our department of tourism and all those friends and fellow adventure tourism promoters who despite all odds have stood firm in taking adventure tourism in Kashmir to newer heights. I am equally happy for our beautiful Gurez for achieving huge success as an offbeat destination,” said Rauf Tramboo, president of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir (ATOAK).