Raises hopes for the hospitality industry of Gulmarg and Pahalgam
Web Story Desk
Srinagar: The tourist hotspots Gulmarg and Pahalgam in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir are likely to see a huge rush of tourists on New Year’s Eve as the meteorological department predicted snowfall in the next 24 hours.
Speaking to The Web Story, a Srinagar-based meteorological official said that “there is a possibility (70% chance) of intermittent light to moderate snow at scattered places during December 29 (evening)–30th. Although there’s no forecast of any major snowfall, even light snowfall and below-freezing temperatures may lead to temporary disruption of surface transportation on Sonamarg-Zojila, Sinthan Top, Gurez-Bandipora, etc. on December 30th.”
Meanwhile, people in the tourism industry anticipate a large influx of tourists ahead of New Year’s Eve, particularly in the health resorts of Gulmarg in north Kashmir and Pahalgam in south Kashmir, which are popular New Year’s Eve destinations and where the tourism department has planned new year celebrations.
Talking with The Web Story, a group of hoteliers said that the expected snowfall, especially ahead of New Year’s Eve, has raised our hopes of good business. They stated that we had a very good footfall of tourists this year in the spring, and summer seasons, They said that we are expecting the same in the winter and snowfall will definitely add to the tourists’ enjoyment. They also claimed that most of the hotels had been booked in advance.
According to the President of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Kathu, hotels in Gulmarg and Pahalgam are 100 percent booked for the new year.
Earlier this week, the Director of Tourism Fazl-ul-Haseeb said that the COVID SOPs would be followed on the occasion of New Year celebrations across Kashmir.
“Covid is not a new thing for us. Already there are guidelines issued by the administration, which will be followed religiously. “There will be no compromise on social distancing and the use of face masks,” he said.
An official spokesperson for the Union Territory administration stated that a record-breaking 20.5 lakh tourists, including 3.65 lakh Amarnath yatris, visited Kashmir in the first eight months of this year, drawing visitors from all over the country to the gorgeous and picturesque valley.
“Tourism is the biggest source of employment in Jammu and Kashmir, and since January 2022, up to date, 1.62 crore tourists have visited Jammu and Kashmir, which is the highest number in 75 years of independence,” the spokesman had said.
