Kashmir tops Google’s list of most searched domestic vacation destination

Srinagar, Dec 22: Notwithstanding the dearth of tourists visiting it, Kashmir has topped the list of most-searched vacation destinations in India on Google’s ‘Year in Search’ list 2019.

Wiling to quench their thirst for the #wanderlust, globetrotters in India have searched’ Kashmir’ as a destination to travel maximum times compared to other tourists destinations.

As per the Google’s ‘Year in Search’ list 2019 Kashmir, Kashmiri, Shillong and Munnar have been the top three most-searched vacation destinations in India. The other destinations which the backpackers have wished to visit include Auli, Spiti Valley, Cherrapunji, Kotagiri, Kinnaur, Tirthan Valley and New Delhi.

The calculation by the Google Trends is made on the basis of a graph that shows a relative frequency of any search term over time on a scale of zero to 100. Hundred represents the highest level.

Kashmir, this year witnessed lowest flow of tourists as the entire valley was hit by uncertainty after abrogation of article 370.

Data reveal, Kashmir has witnessed a decline of 87% in tourists flow compared to the 2.49 lakh domestic tourists received by the valley in the same period. The foreign arrivals have seen a decline of more than 81 per cent.  In November, as many as 10,946 domestic and 1,140 foreign tourists visited the valley.

Pertinently, Kashmir in initial two months post abrogation of article 370 has been the most searched word on internet.

As per Google Trends, this year in August, internet users searched for “Kashmir” more than ever before. Prior to that the word “Kashmir” was mostly searched on Google in February, when a suicide bomber killed at least 49 forces personnel in Awantipora.

Google searches for “Kashmir Property”, “Kashmir land” and “Kashmir flats” have spiked from nearly zero to their highest level after August5

Manzoor Ahmad Pakhtoon, president of Kashmir Tourism Alliance (KTA) said the tourist mostly enquire about Kashmir packages during winter season.

“Even if some won’t come here, but a lot of people would confirm about rate of packages. During winter season, Gulmarg would witness 95 per cent booking as the destination is highly adventurous for sports lovers. But since August 5, the tourism industry has been in doldrums. We are currently not getting tourists from South-East Asia,” he said.