The Jammu and Kashmir department of tourism today kick-started a four-day Leh Festival in the Ladakh region of the state.
Mahmood Shah, the Director Tourism, Kashmir said through festivals like this, they want tourist arrivals to increase during the lean month of September.
"The tourist arrivals in the lean month of September start to decrease due to the cold conditions which needs to be picked up by organising these activities," he said.
Artistes and locals from Kargil town, Dahanu village, Zanasark, Nubra and other places showcased their culture through dance performances, Shah said.
The main venue of the event was Leh stadium.
According to Shah, hundreds of tourists, including foreigners, were present at the inaugural ceremony of the festival.
In his inaugral speech, Shah highlighted the role of the directorate in promoting tourism and said, incentive schemes have helped locals set up accommodation even in remote areas in the form of paying guest houses.
Commander of the Army's 14 Corps Lt Gen S K Upadhyay was the chief guest at the event.
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