SUHAIL KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 09: Recent snowfall has turned Kashmir into a winter wonderland, bringing cheer to the faces of locals and an unstoppable influx of tourists, as the daily rush continues to increase.
The winter wonderland had already made its mark with the influx of tourists during the Christmas and New Year holidays; however, since then, the number of both domestic and international tourists has doubled.
An official told Kashmir Despatch that iconic destinations like Gulmarg and Srinagar have come alive with tourists flocking to the valley after it recently witnessed two spells of snowfall.
The official stated that the pristine beauty of the snowfall ushers in the festive season, giving a welcome boost to local businesses and tourism, which adds to the charm of this winter retreat.
He noted that in the first week of January 2025, over 12,000 tourists visited the valley alone after the snowfall.
He mentioned that all hotels and houseboats across the valley are fully booked until the end of January, indicating that the region may surpass the tourism figures of 2024.
At the year end 2024, The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department has declared 2024 as one of the best tourist seasons in the valley’s history with tourist figures exceeded previous year’s numbers by more than 10 percent.
The department stated that currently, efforts are underway to develop 75 new tourist destinations, 75 heritage and cultural sites, 75 Sufi and religious sites, and 75 adventure treks, all aimed at boosting tourism in the region.
Director of Tourism Raja Yaqoob Farooq told Kashmir Despatch that the previous year’s total was 2.7 million, including figures from the Shri Amarnath Yatra, and this year the number has surpassed that by more than 10 percent.
He added that around 3 million tourists visited Kashmir in 2024, highlighting that the significant growth in foreign tourist numbers is particularly encouraging.
