Srinagar: Come New Year, Kashmir will be bursting at the seams with tourists.
With just a few days left for Christmas and New Year, Kashmir has emerged as the go-to destination for tourists worldwide.
Gala dinners and musical nights are all planned to enthrall tourists this Christmas and New Year at Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
As such the hotels at Gulmarg and Pahalgam are fully sold out for Christmas and New Year.
Travel agents have reported a spike in inquiries during the past three weeks, especially around Christmas and New Year.
“The last several weeks have seen an upsurge in tourists. Travelers prefer to enjoy Christmas and New Year in Kashmir. We anticipate a further increase in arrivals in the coming weeks,” said Rauf Ahmad Tramboo, President of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir.
He said the unprecedented rush of tourists has led to the full occupancy of hotels at Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
“Gulmarg is in the spotlight on Christmas and New Year. Hotels are sold out for Christmas and New Year. So are the hotels at Pahalgam. We are having a good demand for Srinagar as well,” Tramboo said.
Tourism operators have made special arrangements for tourists for both these occasions.
“In Gulmarg and Pahalgam, hoteliers have made arrangements for musical evenings. So are the celebrations on New Year,” Tramboo said.
Secretary of Tourism and Culture Syed Abid Rasheed Shah said this year’s winter will be a grand success since popular places like Gulmarg and Pahalgam are already completely booked for major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
“Tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam are already sold out for upcoming Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivals. I’m very much confident the way we see both domestic and foreigners in Jammu & Kashmir tourist arrivals, this winter will be a grand success,” he said.
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