After floods havoc Tourists throng Kaghan valley

MANSEHRA: A large number of foreign and domestic tourists have thronged Kaghan as tourism activities have restarted in the picturesque valley weeks after the flood devastation in Mahandri area.

“Our tourism industry suffered immensely following the central bridge at Manor stream was washed away on July 31. But now the situation is completely normal and roads leading to Gilgit-Baltistan and Saiful Muluk Lake are intact to welcome visitors,” Hussan Deen, the proprietor of Moon chains of restaurants, told reporters.

The tourism industry in Kaghan valley remained completely shut for weeks after the bridge was washed away at the Mansehra-Jalkhad Road and an artificial lake was created.However, the tourists have now started to visit the valley as a bridge has been built and the artificial lake has receded.

“We have started winter tourism for the first time to provide better hospitality services to visitors even in cold weather and they could enjoy traditional and national cuisines,” Deen said. He added that as an announcement made by the president of the hoteliers’ association, Seth Matiullah, the visitors could enjoy 50 per cent relief in the room rented at any hotel and 20 per cent on cuisines and jeep fares during the winter tourism.