Paradise calling: Sonamarg hosts record 1.62 lakh tourists in three months

Ganderbal: Sonamarg is witnessing a heavy footfall of tourists with 1,62,281 visitors flocking to the popular destination in the last three months.

Sonamarg, with a literal meaning ‘the meadow of gold’ and with snowclad mountains sharing a spectacular blue sky, situated at an altitude of 2730 m, is a mesmerizing hill station in central Kashmmir’s Ganderbal district.

According to data, the influx of tourists began on January 1st and continued until March 31st, with a notable increase in both domestic and foreign visitors. Of the total visitors, 155,851 were domestic tourists, while 4,108 were foreigners. Additionally, 2,322 residents explored the beauty of their region.

The place has become a premier attraction for travelers, both local and non-local, in Kashmir.

Local shopkeepers are elated with the upsurge in tourist activity, expressing gratitude to the tourism department for its promotional efforts. “The current influx of tourists has surpassed previous records, indicating the growing appeal of the region among travelers,” they said.

Members of the tourism sector warmly welcome the tourists, seeing it as a revival of their businesses after nearly three years of dormancy. They urge the tourism department to maintain its efforts in promoting Sonamarg to attract even more visitors.

The current tourists are visibly content, contributing to a lively and hospitable atmosphere in the region.

Earlier, Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car Ride achieved a historic milestone, witnessing an unprecedented surge in popularity, with over one million tourists flocking to experience its breathtaking vistas during the fiscal year 2023-24.

Officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department said that this surge in tourist footfall has resulted in staggering revenue of more than Rs 110 crore. Taking to the social media platform X, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department said, “Gulmarg Gondola soars to new heights! For the first time, more than 1 million tourists took the Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car Ride in FY 2023-24.

Revenue crosses more than Rs 110 crores. J&K Tourism sees unprecedented growth which continues to surpass all previous figures.” (With KNO inputs)