Kashmir Valley turns a new leaf, sees surge in tourism
The Tribune investigates the evolution of a ‘Naya Kashmir’
Adil Akhzer
Srinagar, July 31
In 2019, the abrogation of Article 370 was met with scepticism and a dark sense of foreboding, fuelling a nervous anticipation of the reaction that would follow. For long, the region was on edge, unsure of the direction in which it was headed and the shape it would take. Five years on, a new face of Kashmir has emerged — the multitude of tourists a testimony to the tranquillity that seems to have, finally, cast a kind glance towards the ever-hurting Valley. The numbers speak for themselves — in just first half of this year Kashmir saw the arrival of an unprecedented 16 lakh tourists.
Increase in footfall
2022 26.73L
2023 27.10L
2024 16L
Till June 30
Tourism officials say 13 lakh people had visited the Valley in the corresponding period last year. The numbers have grown steadily. Over 27 lakh tourists visited the Valley in 2023 as against 26.73 lakh in 2022.
As per figures presented in Parliament, 34.70 lakh people visited J&K in 2020, while in 2021, the number rose to 1.13 crore. In 2022 and 2023, it increased to 1.88 crore and 2.11 crore, respectively. Till June 2024, 1.08 crore tourists have visited the Union Territory. These figures also include the pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a decline in tourists. Later, we witnessed a boom,” says Sheikh Ashiq, director of the Srinagar-based Al-Khuddam Group and former president of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
Boom after pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a decline in tourists. Later, we witnessed a boom. Corporate houses visiting the Valley is a new trend and has multiple benefits, including increase in revenue.
Sheikh Ashiq, Director of Srinagar-based al-khuddam group
There is a perceptible change in profile, too. Corporate houses have also started coming here for meetings and conferences. “Corporate houses visiting the Valley is a new trend and has multiple benefits, including increase in revenue,” he says.
However, he cautions: “We need to continue providing good services to clients and also take care of the environment”. If calm prevails over the next five years, the tourism sector will grow manifold, he states.
Mauzam Bakshi, chairman, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Federation, echoed the sentiment. “There has been a boom in the tourism sector over the past three years. This year in particular, the influx was such that not all tourists could find accommodation in destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam,” he remarked.
The authorities, Bakshi says, need to do more to create better infrastructure at tourist destinations. “Train service will start soon and travel will become cheaper and faster. With it, more tourists will arrive. But we need to take care about adding more infrastructure, especially at new destinations.”
The border towns are now witnessing a massive inrush, which would not have been possible without a ceasefire effective along the Line of Control and the International Border since 2021.
While traditional destinations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg used to be tourist hotspots, places like Gurez, Keran and Teetwal in north Kashmir and RS Pura in Jammu are the new favourites, changing the fortunes of the locals.
But not all is rosy. Environmental experts are raising concerns about the ecology and the sustained strain on these destinations. “We are witnessing huge problems at these places,” says a Srinagar-based tour operator. “We are opening new places, but there is no proper infrastructure and waste management facilities. The government must focus on environmental pollution and other concerns before it is too late,” he adds.
