France, Sept. 20 -- The J&K Open 2021 at Srinagar city's Royal Springs golf course was hailed as the green shoots of tourismin Kashmir, which now plan to showcase 75 villages as holiday hotspots as part of a makeover of its travel industry, ravaged by militancy and then Covid-19.

"The return of men's professional golf to the Kashmir valley gives us a great opportunity to showcase Kashmir as an attractive golfing destination," said Sarmad Hafeez, region's tourism chief before some 125 golfers teed off at the four-day Srinagar event that ended on the weekend.

Officials promised "special packages" for outstation golfers in Kashmir, which has restored domestic passenger flights while many hoteliers, resorts and houseboats services slashed t...