From rxpgnews.com
Kashmir food fest tickles Dubai taste buds
By F. Ahmed, IANS,
Apr 28, 2007 - 7:38:06 AM
Srinagar, April 28 - Kashmir has taken its traditional cuisine to Dubai as part of a tourism promotion initiative.
The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation's - ongoing food festival - from April 15 to 30 - in Dubai introduces the Wazwan feast to the mutton-loving Arabs.
'We are serving the Kashmiri Wazwan at Hotel Dhow Palace in Dubai where the guests are enjoying the food prepared by our chefs in copper plates called the 'tramis',' JKTDC managing director Abdul Aziz Wani told IANS on telephone from Dubai.
'Kashmiri music playing in the background has also become a great attraction here. There is everything from the 'kangri' - to huge copper utensils displayed at the hotel,' he added.
In contrast to some European countries that have issued travel advisories against visiting Kashmir, there is no adverse advisory in the Arab countries, Wani added.
Kashmir, which had been an important Arab tourist destination in the past, is hoping to attract more visitors from that region in view of the improved situation in the Kashmir Valley.
'The upgrading of the Srinagar airport to an international airport will also give a boost to the tourist industry in Kashmir, especially with regard to arrivals from the Middle East,' Wani said.
Air India is starting direct flights to Srinagar from Jeddah and Dubai as soon as the local airport, which is being upgraded, is commissioned this year.
'We are offering special packages to tourists through a single window system for visiting Kashmir this year,' Wani said.
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