New Year rush rekindles hope for revival of Kashmir tourism

WITH the tourism sector in the Valley witnessing a promising start around the New Year, stakeholders are cautiously hopeful of a better year ahead. Tourist destinations across Kashmir recorded a substantial influx of visitors, raising expectations of a revival in an industry that suffered a severe setback last year.Following the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed, tourism in Jammu and Kashmir came to a grinding halt, triggering a sharp decline across the sector. Hotels, restaurants and allied services were badly hit, forcing many workers to seek alternative employment as establishments downsized their staff.However, around Christmas and the New Year, Kashmir once again witnessed a significant rush of tourists to its major destinations — for the first time since the Pahalgam incident. Officials said that Gulmarg and Sonmarg were fully booked during the period, marking their first complete occupancy since the attack.Farooq Ahmed, president of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), told The Tribune that the year had begun on a positive note. “We are now witnessing signs of tourism revival,” he said, adding that tourist footfall had exceeded expectations.Ahmed said that fresh enquiries were being received for the upcoming seasons. “Everyone is hoping that we will be seeing a renewal of the tourism industry this year again,” he said.Despite the renewed optimism, industry players remain cautious. A Srinagar-based hotelier said that the coming months would determine whether the sector was truly on the path to recovery. “We are keeping our fingers crossed,” he said.As tourists gradually return to the Valley, demands have grown for the reopening of all tourist destinations. Last year, authorities shut down dozens of spots following security reviews, and many of them remain closed months later.Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has repeatedly called on the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department, which is under the control of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, to order the reopening of all tourist destinations in the Union Territory.In this context, a joint security review meeting of tourist places falling under the Central Kashmir Range was held this week at the District Police Office in Ganderbal to assess safety arrangements at tourist locations.“A threadbare discussion was held on the prevailing security scenario, with special emphasis on the safety and security of tourist destinations, particularly in view of inclement weather conditions,” a police spokesperson said after the meeting.“Measures aimed at confidence-building among tourists and ensuring a safe and secure environment were deliberated in detail,” the spokesperson added.

New Year rush rekindles hope for revival of Kashmir tourism

#KashmirAngle: Industry remains wary as security curbs, closures persist at several destinations

Adil Akhzer

Our Correspondent

New Year rush rekindles hope for revival of Kashmir tourism

#KashmirAngle: Industry remains wary as security curbs, closures persist at several destinations

Adil Akhzer

Our Correspondent

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