Kashmir Tourism To Hit 10-year High: More Beautiful Than Europe

Since the pandemic restrictions have been loosened and security has improved, the valley is attracting record tourism numbers

With the easing of pandemic restrictions and some improvement in security, the Indian-administered Kashmir region is attracting record numbers of tourists, supporting local businesses.

In spite of recent violence and restrictions on foreign tourists, tour operators and government officials predict that tourist arrivals will exceed 340,000 this year.

In 2019, the Narendra Modi government stripped Kashmir of its special status and autonomy, resulting in a decline in tourism.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign and domestic tourist inflows were reduced.

In March alone, we have seen 0.18 million tourists arrive in Kashmir, the highest number ever, said Sarmad Hafeez, Jammu and Kashmir's tourism secretary, who added that April arrivals may surpass March.

In addition to horticulture and agriculture, tourism contributes about 7% of the economy of Indian-administered Kashmir.

This disputed region touts itself as "Paradise on Earth", and is home to Dal Lake, which was a favourite summer retreat for Mughal emperors fleeing India's plains centuries ago.

As well as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Asia's largest, and mountains and glaciers in the region, the lake is known for its famous houseboats.

The opening of new destinations and an advertising campaign across major Indian cities are attracting more tourists, according to Hafeez.

A 54-year-old boatman named Wali Mohammad Bhat said he did not work during the pandemic, but that he now earns 1,000 to 1,500 rupees ($13-$20) a day. He hopes to see a successful tourist season this year.

Tourists have booked rooms ahead for the next couple of weeks for hotels and houseboats, and the revenue has helped them to pay off part of their debt.

Ghulam Hassan Bhat, 75, a tour operator in Srinagar, said the industry is doing very well after a long gap.

Compared to the pre-COVID period, hotel room rates have increased by over 30 percent, and bookings are at an all-time high.

Tour operators are finding it difficult to find bookings for their clients since hotels are filled to the brim and airfares have increased because of the rush.

The Indian Association of Tour Operators' past president, Pronab Sarkar, a New Delhi-based tour operator, said it is difficult to find rooms in good locations.

In response to the pandemic-related uncertainty, high-end tourists from wealthier Indian regions, like Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai, are opting for the Kashmir valley rather than Europe.

Mascot Travels' Managing Partner Mohammad Yasin Tuman says, "We have limited high-end hotels and commercial transportation services here.".

Tourists, however, are not bothered. A couple from Australia came to Kashmir and were mesmerized by its beauty, Navdeep Singh and Gurpreet Kaur said.

The place here is more beautiful than anywhere else in Europe. “People are friendly and warm here,” he said.

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