The well-known tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Pahalgam are seeing an influx of visitors, particularly from Gujarat and Maharashtra, raising optimism for a slow recovery in the industry.
Srinagar After being severely damaged by the Pahalgam terror incident, Kashmir’s tourism industry has begun the long road back to normalcy as visitors, albeit in lower numbers, are returning to the valley.
The well-known tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Pahalgam are seeing an influx of visitors, particularly from Gujarat and Maharashtra, raising optimism for a slow recovery in the industry.
Tourist arrivals, if in small numbers, have brought some activity to the area, which was thought to be nearly dead in the days after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Meadows, which claimed the lives of 25 visitors and a local.
In an effort to rebuild confidence in the valley’s tourism potential, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is taking the lead and actively participating.
The chief minister has been taking his administration to well-known tourist destinations, where he has been interacting with visitors and stakeholders.
To dispel the sense of terror in the valley, Mr. Abdullah recently presided over two consecutive meetings, one of which was of his council of ministers and the other of the government’s senior officers, at Pahalgam and Gulmarg, respectively.
Bookings have been canceled in large numbers as a result of the Pahalgam incident. There was a lack of enthusiasm in visiting Kashmir after the attack, and tourists departed the valley in large numbers, abandoning tours in the middle. Confirmed reservations were also canceled.
However, as inquiries for reservations increase daily, the clouds of worry are gradually giving way to the sunshine of optimism.
“People have begun returning. Positive messages that the destinations are open have been conveyed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s meetings and travels (to Pahalgam and Gulmarg). Asif Burza, a hotelier who owns hotels in Srinagar, Pahalgam, and Gulmarg, stated that it has improved tourism.
He claimed that travelers were now making new reservations as a result of cancellations.
“People are not given up on Kashmir; they are expressing interest once more. “They want to return…to send a message that we will not be deterred by the incidents that occurred,” Burza stated.
He claimed that numerous delegations were visiting Kashmir and that numerous businesses had contacted them to attend board and other meetings in Pahalgam, following the chief minister’s lead.
The hotelier expressed hope that a reversal is imminent and claimed that dread is giving way to optimism.
Afsa Malik, a traveler from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, said she doesn’t sense any danger in Kashmir and encouraged everyone to go there.
We’re visiting Kashmir for the first time. There is a sense of security rather than anxiety. Everywhere, security officers are in place. She told PTI, “Everyone should come here.”
According to Malik, who is in the valley with her family and 17 other people, Kashmir is a stunning location, and they have had a great time thus far.
“After a few days in Kashmir, we are having a great time. We visited Dal Lake and traveled to Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, and Srinagar. We invite everyone to see us,” she continued.
Mohammad Aftab, another Gujarati visitor, claimed that the mood in the Kashmir valley differs from the current perception of the area.
We are taking in the splendor. We have never seen anything like this before, and it is unmatched. We are a group of seven families that have come here with our young children. Compared to what we had heard, the mood is far nicer. We feel as though we haven’t seen anything before,” Aftab remarked.
“There is security, we didn’t feel afraid, and the people here are very kind and loving to us. The facilities in hotels are nice. “It’s the most beautiful thing,” he continued.
According to Aftab, they were a little afraid before they came to the valley, but they gained courage from the footage that other visitors posted.
“We want to assure everyone that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, incidents like the Pahalgam attack won’t occur again. The visitor remarked, “We want everyone to come here.”
Local and national tour operators, particularly those from Gujarat and Maharashtra, are working together to market Kashmir as a secure travel destination.
To counter the unfavorable impression and draw tourists, a group of Maharashtra travel operators are visiting the valley on a familiarization tour. There is optimism for a turnaround and a shift in perspective as a result of the initiatives.
There are tourists visiting well-known tourist locations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg, and the number is growing every day. Families and groups of tourists from all over the nation can be seen having a good time at the well-known locations.
Since the industry is crucial to the perception of peace and the state of Kashmir’s shattered economy, the stakeholders hope the reversal occurs as quickly as possible.
