Srinagar, Dec 23: In a festive prelude to the upcoming new year, the Tourism Department in collaboration with the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) hosted a lively Christmas cake-baking contest in Rajbagh on Saturday.
The event, which saw enthusiastic participation from the contestants, is part of a broader initiative to gear up for the winter season and attract visitors to the picturesque Kashmir Valley.
Dr Rukhsar Saeed, a Kashmiri food technologist, and Runner-Up in MasterChef India Season 8, also served as a judge. The contestants expressed their happiness at participating in the program, saying they hope similar events will be organised in the future, providing them with opportunities to showcase their skills.
Tourism officials, speaking to Rising Kashmir, highlighted the primary objective of the event. “Such programmes will be organised in various tourist destinations across the valley. The aim is to make the winter season more vibrant and attract a large number of tourists from around the globe,” they said.
“The large influx of tourists, including international visitors, to the valley has been remarkable,” a tourism officer said. He expressed happiness that this year will break previous records. The official underscored the significance of these initiatives, saying they are important preparations for the winter season.
Deputy Director of Tourism Kashmir, Dr Deeba Khalid elaborated on the festive spirit infused by the Christmas cake-baking contest. “This is a prelude to the many festivals that are going to be celebrated as part of the winter carnival across the valley at popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg in the coming week,” she said.
Dr Khalid highlighted the Directorate of Tourism Kashmir’s commitment to making winters vibrant and showcasing the beautiful landscapes of Kashmir during this season. She said events like the baking contest not only create a festive atmosphere but also provide a platform for the youth to participate in the tourism industry and showcase their talents.
The Tourism Department said it is hopeful that these initiatives will contribute to making this season memorable and attract a record-breaking number of visitors to the region.
