Marking a significant upward trend in the tourism sector of the valley, the ski resort of Gulmarg has attracted a record number of tourists this year so far. The officials revealed that a mammoth 15 lakh visitors have flocked to Gulmarg in the first eleven months of this year. These figures also include include 9,750 foreigners, approximately 300,000 local tourists, and 10 lakh domestic tourists.
According to the Directorate of Tourism, the tourist footfall from January to November witnessed a substantial increase, totaling 1,503,606 visitors, with 1,097,983 domestic tourists, 395,873 locals, and 9,750 foreign guests.
The winter attraction Gulmarg, situated at an elevation of 8,690 feet, offers breathtaking views of snow-capped alps, lush green pastures, deep valleys, and pine-covered slopes, making it a sought-after destination in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
A Tourism official said that the Gulmarg Gondola, Asia’s largest and highest cable car project, has been a major attraction, ranking as the world’s second-largest and second-highest.
He said that the winter months of January, February, and March saw a record number of foreign tourists, totaling 3,761, while August and October witnessed 1,228 and 1,047 foreign tourists, respectively.
“June and July recorded the highest tourist footfall, with 208,011 and 215,465 visitors exploring the region,” the official said.
Local residents express optimism for continued growth, citing expectations of increased tourist inflow due to upcoming events, cultural programs and snowfall in the month of December.
The season’s first snowfall earlier in November has drawn tourists to Gulmarg and nearby areas such as Tangmarg, Bootapathri, Kongdori Peak, Afarwat Peak, and Babareshi.
Local hoteliers attribute the improved tourism flow to effective promotion by the tourism department. With hotels reporting high occupancy rates, business owners anticipate a record number of tourists this winter, buoyed by early snowfall.
Suhail Ahmed, a local hotelier, expresses satisfaction with the current season, stating that all hotels are fully booked, marking a successful period after several years.
Gulmarg Hoteliers Club president Aqib Chaya told Rising Kashmir that effective promotion by the tourism department, G20 conference, festivals, and the Khelo India programme attracted a record number of tourists this year.
“Gulmarg received a facelift, and all hotels in Gulmarg saw 80 percent occupancy throughout the year, and we are expecting more tourists this winter also,” he added.
Aqib said that there was low tourist influx in certain months due to higher air fares, but the Commissioner Secretary Tourism Dr. Abid Rahsid Shah personally looked into that, and the number of tourists to Kashmir saw a great influx afterwards.
“The role by LG administration had a great impact on the tourist flow this year,” he added. He acknowledged the positive tourist influx this season and anticipates a good number of visitors this winter.
