Record-Breaking 1.25 million tourists visit Kashmir this year so far

Record-Breaking 1.25 million tourists visit Kashmir this year so far

Record-Breaking 1.25 million tourists visit Kashmir this year so far

Key Highlights:

1. Record Numbers: Over 1.25 million tourists have visited Kashmir so far in 2024.
2. High Occupancy: Hotels in Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg are fully booked until mid-June.
3. Foreign Tourists Return: Improved law and order and prevailing peace have encouraged more foreign tourists to visit.

Tourist arrivals in Kashmir are on track to break all previous records, with over 1.25 million visitors reported so far this year. This surge indicates that 2024 is poised to surpass past tourist influxes, according to officials.

High Hotel Occupancy

Due to the high volume of tourists, local hotels in popular destinations such as Srinagar, the Gulmarg ski resort, and the hill stations of Pahalgam and Sonamarg are fully booked until mid-June. This indicates a thriving tourism season and a positive economic impact on the region.

Amarnath Yatra Impact

Typically, tourist numbers decrease with the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra, as the influx of pilgrims heading for the cave shrine at 3,888 meters above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas takes precedence. However, this year’s trends suggest that the overall tourist numbers might still surpass previous years despite this seasonal shift.

Foreign Tourist Influx

A notable and encouraging development is the increase in foreign tourists. The improved law and order situation and prevailing peace have made Kashmir a more attractive and safer destination for international visitors.

Economic and Social Impact

The surge in tourist arrivals is a significant boost for the local economy, supporting businesses in hospitality, travel, and related sectors. The positive trend also reinforces the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region to continue attracting tourists.

In conclusion, 2024 is shaping up to be a landmark year for tourism in Kashmir, bringing unprecedented numbers of both domestic and international visitors and driving economic growth in the region.

(Inputs from VoM Sources)

About the Author

Dil Bar Irshad

Owner/Editor_In_Chief

Dil Bar Irshad is an Indian journalist, writer, and media entrepreneur from the Marmat area of Doda in Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known as the founder and Editor-in-Chief of VoM News ("Voice of Masses"), a digital news portal dedicated to highlighting public grievances and citizen issues.Career Overview• Early Career (2015–2016): He began his reporting career focusing on local public issues and citizen grievances in Jammu and Kashmir. • Regional & National Journalism: Over the years, he served as a District Correspondent for the English newspaper Khalsa Express News (2019–2020) and worked as an Urdu correspondent for Sada e Kohistan. He also reported as a J&K Correspondent for the Millennium Post. • International Reporting: In 2023, he expanded into international journalism, working as an India Correspondent for global agencies like BNN Breaking and later TrimFeed, covering diverse topics ranging from stock market updates to regional and global geopolitical developments. • Media Associations: He is an active member of the All India Media Association.Seen IN: Editor-in-Chief, VoM News India, Jammu and Kashmīr Business and Finance, Crime and Justice, Environment As seen in: VoM News, MSN, MSN India, MSN Singapore, MSN UK, Youth Ki Awaaz, Millennium Post, AgroPages, The California Courier, Hecho En California, Justice News, The Chenab Times, Niguro, Sisnoo