Srinagar, Dec 15: With the Valley yet to witness its first major snowfall, Kashmir’s winter tourism is off to a slow start as hotel bookings across popular destinations remain below expectations.
Stakeholders, however, remain hopeful that the moment snow blankets the mountains and plains, the sector will see an immediate revival.
Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club, Mushtaq Chaya said that hotel occupancy across major resorts is currently low.
“Whether it’s Gulmarg, Pahalgam or Sonmarg, the bookings are minimal. Once it snows, we are sure the numbers will rise sharply,” he said, adding that winter tourism in Kashmir is directly linked to snowfall.
Chaya said they are hopeful of a good winter season, but only for snowfall. “Snow is the biggest attraction in Kashmir’s winter calendar. One good spell of snowfall changes everything,” he added.
Echoing similar views, Rouf Tramboo, President of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), told KNO that while travel agents are getting queries, most tourists are holding back on confirmations. “Every second call we receive is about snowfall. Tourists are keen but waiting for snow before they finalise their plans,” he said.
Tramboo said the number will be known after snowfall, adding that this winter’s expectations are good.
Sajad, a hotelier from Gulmarg, said that inquiries for Christmas and New Year are increasing, but confirmed bookings are still moderate. “Visitors are hopeful about snowfall, and so are we. Once snow arrives, Gulmarg will witness a rush,” he said.
Tourism players said the coming days will be decisive for the season’s outlook.
Weather experts have predicted the possibility of light to moderate snowfall in the higher reaches in the coming week, raising hopes among the tourism fraternity—(KNO)
