Over 22 lakh tourists visit Kashmir this year, it’s an all-time high

Twitter: @JournalistAadil

Srinagar: Known for its snow-capped mountains, fast-flowing rivers, Mughal gardens, Alpine meadows and houseboats in the world-famous Dal Lake, Kashmir valley has witnessed an all-time high tourist flow with 22,85,747 tourists visiting the valley this year. 

Officials said that tourists from all parts of the world have been visiting Jammu & Kashmir this year. Hoteliers, houseboat owners, taxi and shikara operators, and restaurateurs are pleased to see the overwhelming response since it has boosted their revenues.

According to data shared by the Tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir, about 19,379 foreign tourists among 22,85,747 tourists visited the Kashmir valley in the ongoing year.

The data shared by them also revealed that the month of May witnessed the highest number of tourists here.

The data revealed, says, “in all 62,645 tourists visited Kashmir in January, 1,00,509 in February, 180171 in March, 2,72,377 in April, 3,75,021 in May, 3,33,589 in June, 207376 in July, 1,54,919 in August, 1,25,252 in September, 1,83,208 in October, 1,58,778 in November, and 1,31,902 in December, up until December 27 of this year.”

The month of August saw the highest number of foreign tourists (3,140). In September, 250 foreign tourists also visited Kashmir.

“If we compare the figures for the past 10 years, the Kashmir valley is recording the highest tourist footfall this year. Keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic situation, we have done rigorous campaigning for tourism. We also used social media platforms.” officials said.

Popular tourist spots like Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg had their resorts and guesthouses running to 100 percent occupancy.

According to the officials, the government has made visas on-arrival available for some countries, including Malaysia and the easily accessible visas will increase foot traffic.

As per the top tourism official in Kashmir, they are expecting a huge footfall of foreign tourists on the eve of the new year. “As earlier, these foreign “Tourists were facing some problems while availing the visa,” the official said.

To make this winter vibrant, the tourism department is also organising several programmes at different tourist destinations and the department has thrown several winter destinations open this year.

This year, the tourism industry will also host various ski courses at various locations and install a ski lift at Sonamarg in central Kashmir. In addition, the department is also organising the winter carnival at Pahalgam and other locations.

“The rush in Srinagar will continue till the onset of harsh winters. However, many people come just to see snowfall and Gulmarg resorts are completely occupied and pre booked.

A houseboat owner at Dal Lake said “It is the first time we are seeing such a tourist season in the Kashmir valley. There was consistent tourist inflow in the valley right from January to December.” 

“The figure is at an all-time high.  20 or 22 lakh tourists have visited Kashmir valley before” an official said.