Fresh snowfall brings influx of tourists to Kashmir Valley's tourist spots, new life to tourism

The recent fresh snowfall in the Kashmir Valley has once again brought the natural beauty to its peak, resulting in an unprecedented increase in the number of tourists at the valley's famous tourist destinations. The white blanket of snow, frozen lakes, deodar trees covered with snow, and the cold weather have once again made Kashmir a top choice for tourists.

Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam, and other upper reaches have seen a surge in tourist arrivals immediately after the snowfall. A large number of tourists are arriving in the valley from different states of the country, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, which include families, young groups, and honeymooning couples.

Gulmarg is currently witnessing the highest presence of tourists, where people are enjoying snow games, skiing, snowmobile, and gondola rides. After the fresh snowfall, Gulmarg looks no less than a European resort.

Rahul Sharma, a tourist from Delhi, said, "We have come to Kashmir for the first time, and the fresh snowfall has made our trip memorable. The beauty of Gulmarg cannot be described in words, there is just white blanket and tranquility all around."

Ankita Desai, a woman tourist from Mumbai, said, "We had always seen Kashmir in pictures, but after coming here, we realized that it is no less than heaven. The fresh snowfall has made every scene even more beautiful."

The increasing arrival of tourists has also given a big boost to the local economy. Hotel owners, houseboat operators, taxi drivers, horse owners, ski instructors, and artisans are happy with the tourist activity.

A hotel owner in Gulmarg said, "There were fewer bookings in the last few weeks, but after the fresh snowfall, the hotels are suddenly full. A large number of non-local tourists are arriving, which has given us new hope for our livelihood."

The increase in tourist activities has also created new employment opportunities for local youth. Many young people are working as tour guides, photographers, and snow sports instructors.

Adil Ahmed, a local youth from Sonmarg, said, "When it snows, the number of tourists increases, which gives us work. We want peace to prevail so that tourism can flourish continuously."

In view of the increasing number of tourists, the district administration and the tourism department have also tightened arrangements. Timely cleaning of roads, traffic control, medical facilities, and special security arrangements have been made at tourist destinations so that tourists do not face any kind of difficulty.

An official of the tourism department said, "We are trying to provide better facilities to the tourists. After the fresh snowfall, Kashmir has once again become a hub for tourists, which is a welcome sign for us."

The administration has appealed to the tourists to follow the weather and traffic advisories, avoid unnecessary travel, and cooperate with the local administration, especially in the upper reaches where the roads can be slippery due to snowfall.

According to experts, if the weather remains favorable, an increase in the number of tourists is expected in the coming days, which can give a big boost to winter tourism in the Kashmir Valley.