Post good start, tourism sector hits new low in Valley

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As the year 2016 nears its end, the tourism industry in the Valley is hoping to bounce back in the winter months after a setback in summer. The stakeholders say the year proved to be a mixed bag for the sector with footfalls witnessing a dip after a good start in early summer.
“This year was a mixed bag for the tourism sector. After looking to touch an all-time high in July, figures then touched an all-time low in next months,” said Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah.
The sector had been hit badly during the unrest that started after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8 at a time when the arrivals of tourists were peaking.
Shah said the tourism sector was now looking forward to a good number of tourists in the next few months. He said tourists had already started coming and the Tourism Department had lined up several events to attract more visitors.
Most of the events, including winter sports events and a New Year gala, are scheduled to be held at Gulmarg, which remains the hub of winter tourism in the Valley. The stakeholders are eagerly awaiting for a snowfall that is expected to a attract a good number of tourists to Kashmir.
Even though most of the hotels are still waiting for tourists to arrive in full force, the hoteliers too are seeing “positive signs.”
“Though not in large numbers, a few foreign tourists have started coming. I feel the Hurriyat invite to tourists has had a positive impact,” said Association of Hotel & Restaurant Operators of Lal Chowk chairman Siraj Ahmad.
While the government is taking several steps to bring back visitors, the Hurriyat too had recently extended an invite to tourists and pilgrims to visit the Valley.

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