As the winter sets in the high altitude destinations in Kashmir are at the centre of attention. The seasonal snowfall to these high altitude destinations began to attract hundreds of tourists.
The Gulmarg is on the top of the list. It is receiving hundreds of tourist from mainland India especially during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The footfalls this year have been witnessed despite the ongoing pandemic of Covid-19 that wracked havoc to the global economy.
Kashmir for the tourists in mainland India and across the globe is an unavoidable destination. In a normal season prior to COVID19 around one million tourists would visit Kashmir especially during summers.
The winters would attract a sizeable number of tourists with only Gulmarg being the hotspot for winter games. With Tourism industry after Horticulture being the second largest economic sector of Kashmir, the UT government has failed to tap its potential round the year.
The valley locked amid the majestic mountains has four majestic seasons and all have its own peculiarity. Autumn and winters are the most underestimated and untapped seasons.
The tourism across the world is the fastest growing industry and many countries in the world have solely been depending on it. But unfortunately Kashmir having enormous potential in the sector is overlooked.
The vast and existing infrastructure in Kashmir for tourism is enough to boost the sector and receive and cater over 2 million tourists round the year. But UT administration needs to understand that instead focusing on international tourists from Europe and elsewhere, it shall focus on domestic tourism.
The season and beauty in Kashmir is almost same like Europe except the infrastructure and facilities. So it is unlikely that Kashmir may get enough tourists from the Europe and America. However, in India Kashmir is sharing a unique topography, culture and geography that can bring the foot falls of domestic tourists. Moreover, it needs to expand the scope of tourism in Kashmir.
The culture, heritage and history of Kashmir also need to be showcased for which the tourist villages shall be built. A complete package for a tourist may not let him bore but will increase his quest for more knowledge and joy.
It is the time to move beyond the routine exercises of promoting tourism in Kashmir. Its potential needs to be tapped and promote it round the year. Globally it is a billion dollar industry and Kashmir can encash it to change its destination.
