Chandigarh, Sep 26 - Chandigarh is set to celebrate World Tourism Day Sunday with a musical extravaganza, food festival, shopping bonanza and an assortment of activities for both the city dwellers and for the tourists coming to this union territory (UT).

The festivities began Saturday with an evening of rock fusion music at Sector 17 plaza, the commercial hub of Chandigarh.

This will be followed by Sur-Nandan, an Indian classical and fusion music show by renowned artists at Sukhna Lake, one of the prominent tourist destinations here, at 5.30 a.m. Sunday.

City residents of all age groups will also take part in a unique morning tourism walk, 'Run for Tourism', that will start from Sukhna Lake and cover various tourist places like the open hand monument (Capitol Complex) and Zakir Rose Garden.

UT Home-cum-Tourism Secretary Ram Niwas told IANS: 'This year, the focus of World Tourism Day celebrations will be at two most popular tourist destinations, Sukhna Lake and Sector-17 plaza. The idea is to involve people of all age groups in these celebrations in one way or the other.'

'Special discounts will be offered at CITCO (Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation)-run hotels in the city. We take this day as an opportunity to portray Chandigarh as one of the most sought after tourist hubs in the world,' he added.

There will be an 'antakshari' programme and a DJ will be on hand at Sukhna Lake Sunday evening to entertain the tourists. There will be a buffet as well.

Besides, passengers arriving at the Chandigarh railway station and at the airport Sunday will be given a special welcome by students of a local hotel management institute.

'Underprivileged children will be given free rides in an open-air bus. A painting competition based upon famous tourist spots of Chandigarh will be organised at Sukhna Lake,' an official spokesman told IANS.