Record number of 1.4 million tourists have visited Indian Kashmir this year so far.
Srinagar, Nov 30/National Turk – With the improvement in ground situation and considerable fall in militancy violence, tourists in large number turned to Indian administered Kashmir in 2012 and according to a senior tourism official about 1.4 million tourists have visited the region so far this year.
“About 1.4 million tourists visited Kashmir this year. They included domestic (Indian) and foreign tourists,” Director Tourism Department Talat Parvez has said.
This is the first time in last 22 years that tourists in such a large number have turned to Kashmir. Earlier, due to militancy violence, the tourists had apprehensions while coming to Kashmir but now such apprehensions are not there.
Owing to improvement in ground situation and fall in militancy violence, United Kingdom recently lifted advisory for its citizen on travel to Kashmir. The country has lifted the advisory and told its citizens that they can visit some of the districts of Kashmir.
The people associated with tourism sector – hoteliers, house boat owners and shikarawallas – have been upbeat and hopeful that tourists in large numbers will visit Kashmir next year also.
“We did a good business this year. The situation has improved considerably and tourists feel safe in Kashmir. This is sending a positive message of Kashmir outside the region,” a hotel owner Aijaz Ahmad said.
Snowfall will attract more tourists to region
The tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Khilanmarg and Kongdori in North Kashmir have received fresh spell of snowfall. The Gulmarg resort, which is famous ski resort in Kashmir, has been covered in a thick blanket of snow.
At 2690 metres altitude, Gulmarg is rated one of the best ski destination in Asia. Its major attraction is a five km long ropeway — considered one of the highest in the world — that ferries people to the top of adjoining Kongdori mountain at 3979 metres.
A tourism official said the early snowfall has made it possible to start skiing early this year. “Normally the skiing season starts in second half of December and continues upto March or April, depending on snow thickness. We are planning early start of the season”.
He said the department is hopeful that snowfall will attract more domestic (Indian) and foreign tourists to Kashmir.
He said some tourists are already present in Gulmarg and are enjoying snowfall.
“We are planning to organize snow skating competition (Kashmir Cup) in the first week of February. Some ambassadors of European countries in New Delhi may also participate in the competition,” he said.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News
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