Kashmir is gearing up to welcome the tourists in winter season.
During the past two years the Valley witnessed a huge rush of tourists in the winter season and this year also the stakeholders are expecting that the season would be better than the last year.
As a cold wave has tightened its grip over Kashmir with all meteorological stations in the Valley recording sub-zero temperatures, the hoteliers are making preparations to ensure that all the heating and other arrangements are put in place so that the guests don’t face any problems.
Most of the hotels have received advance bookings and hoteliers are expecting their establishments to remain jam packed for the next three months.
The government is also putting in efforts to make winter tourism in Kashmir more interesting by exploring the unexplored destinations.
The government is planning to include adventure sports and other activities in Sonamarg and Gurez. The new ski slopes are likely to be developed in snow-bound areas.
Promoting winter tourism has created more employment avenues for the locals. Tourism players have added Kashmir as best winter tourist destinations in their itineraries. The attempt is being made to take winter tourism beyond Gulmarg. It’s for the first time in Kashmir’s history that Sonamarg will remain open for tourists in the winter this year. The government is also planning to start helicopter services for the snow bound areas.
The tourism in Kashmir is no longer a seasonal activity. It has become an all-weather industry as the concept of winter tourism has become popular during the past few years.
Usually most hotels in Kashmir used to remain closed in winter months due to lack of facilities but the tourists arriving in winter season have led to the hotel owners renovating their buildings. They have installed central heating system and other modern gadgets to keep the rooms warm and cozy.
Stakeholders are aware that they have to keep all the facilities available to ensure that the guests remain comfortable during their stay in chilly weather conditions.
The tourists who have visited the Valley during the last two years have acted as brand ambassadors of Kashmir. The winter tourism picking up in Kashmir has made the Valley more vibrant and lively.
Winter Tourism
