For the first time in ten years, around 1.8 lakh tourists visited Kashmir in March 2022 alone, says the data available with the Kashmir Tourism department. The department is expecting the numbers to increase further in the coming months as the temperature would soar across the country making the Union Territory a perfect destination for visitors. “This is a record number and we are expecting further increase in it. The credit for the record number of tourist arrivals goes to collective efforts of all the stakeholders, ” said GN Itoo, Director Tourism, Kashmir. Earlier, as per the Union tourism ministry, 1.42 lakh tourists had visited J&K during February alone, breaking a seven-year record.
New Tourist Attractions & promotional Efforts
Amarnath Yatra will be another factor that would greatly contribute to the growing figure as the pilgrimage, which was suspended for last two years due to the spread of COVID-19, is set to commence on June 30, for a period of 43 days. Arrangements are already being made on a large scale as the administration is expecting a large number of devotees due to the pandemic gap.
The Tourism department of the UT had also recently launched the first hot-air balloon ride for tourists and locals at Zabarwan Park, Srinagar. The department was had also been planning to introduce other fun activities like paragliding etc. for visitors at all major tourist places across Kashmir.
Efforts were also put to attract more and more visitors through holding road shows in major Indian cities like Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Kolkata, etc. “This year, all the hotels and houseboats are booked for the next two months which is a good sign,” said the department’s Tourism secretary Sarmad Hafeez.
Opening of the Tulip Garden
Set in the foothills of Zabarwan hills in Srinagar, Asia’s largest Tulip Garden had also been opened for visitors. The tulip garden houses over one million tulips and has been attracting tourists from around the globe. The limited-edition tulip garden has been cultivated over months by more than 50 gardeners for the current Tulip Festival. “We have been working for nine months and expect more tourists this year,” said Commissioner of J&K Department of Floriculture, Sheikh Fayaz. The Tulip Festival in Srinagar annually attracts tourists from around the globe at the onset of spring.
