Pahalgam: Over three lakh tourists including foreigners visited Pahalgam in the last four months.
Chief Executive Officer, Pahalgam Development Authority, Tariq Hussian Naik said that more than three lakh tourists including 7,000 foreigners visited Pahalgam in the first four months of this year.
According to Naik, the increase in tourist footfall has brought jubilation among tourism stakeholders in Pahalgam.
Shopkeepers, ponywalas, hoteliers, and others have expressed satisfaction with the rise in visitors, as it directly correlates with their livelihoods.
Hotel occupancy rates are on the rise, said Zakir Ahmad, a hotelier, adding that almost all hotels in Pahalgam are fully booked for the next month.
Currently, the whole of Pahalgam is jam-packed and almost all hotels are booked for next month, he said.
An official of the tourism department said that the season is in full bloom in Pahalgam and thousands of tourists are visiting the destination daily.
With each passing day, the number of tourists visiting Pahalgam is increasing and it will increase further in the coming weeks, he said.
The official said thousands of tourists stay for the night at Pahalgam and the number of local as well as domestic tourists visiting the place will increase manifold.
To accommodate the growing number of tourists, the official said efforts are being made to enhance facilities in Pahalgam continuously. This includes improving accommodation options, transportation services, and other amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for visitors, he said.
Meanwhile, more than 91000 tourists including 3000 foreigners visited Sonamarg in the first three months of this year.
Data released by Sonamarg Development Authority revealed that 91,586 tourists including 3,079 foreigners have explored the area this year so far.
Situated in the picturesque hills of Ganderbal District, Sonamarg has become a premier attraction for both local and non-local travelers in Kashmir.
Since the beginning of the year, there has been a remarkable surge in tourism.
Local shopkeepers are delighted with the increase in tourist activity, expressing gratitude to the tourism department for its promotional efforts. They note that the influx of tourists has surpassed previous records, indicating that the region is becoming increasingly appealing to travelers.
Members of the tourism sector enthusiastically welcome the tourists, seeing it as a revival of their businesses after nearly three years of hiatus. They urge the tourism department to continue promoting Sonamarg to attract even more visitors. The current tourists are visibly happy, contributing to a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere in the region.