In spite of the existing uncertainty, footfall in tourists has picked up in Kashmir after the government rose up its advisory with almost 4000 tourists visiting the Valley from October 9 till date.
“In the first 10 days of October nearly 1900 tourists arrived in Kashmir and it has more than doubled in the next 12 days. Though tourist arrivals have started picking gradually, it is still a long way to go, “SSP Tourism Enforcement Wing, Amarjeet informed DH.
On August 3rd, two days before the revocation of Article 370, the state administration managed by Governor, Satya Pal Malik, in an advisory requested all tourists and Amarnath pilgrims to evacuate Kashmir right away. Across the Valley, the advisory created terror as thousands of tourists as well as pilgrims were evacuated within days. Nevertheless, on October 7th, the government lifted the advisory saying that tourists can come to Kashmir from October 10th onwards.
Ajay Basu, a tourist from West Bengal, who came to Kashmir three days back with his friends, explained that in spite of having made bookings for October five months back, he was unwilling to visit Kashmir at first. “My family was insisting me to cancel the bookings as according to them going to Kashmir was dangerous. However, after arriving here, I didn’t find anything wrong. Media is projecting only negative things about Kashmir while the reality is that it is a paradise on earth and everyone should come here,” he said.
The views of Mr. Basu were reiterated by his friend Dilip, who besides having a shikara (boat) ride in Dal Lake also enjoyed ski-resort Gulmarg, where he had a cable car joyride – commonly known as Gondola – at an altitude of 13,052 ft up to Kongdoori.
“The breathtaking beauty of Gulmarg has mesmerizes all of us and we are happy that we didn’t cancel our bookings. It is a lifetime opportunity which no one should miss,” he said.
“Prior to August 5, tourists would wait anxiously in long queues for their turn to enjoy the ride over breathtaking slopes of Gulmarg. On an average 1000 visitors would take the ride daily then,” he said.
Tags: Footfall of tourists, Kashmir
