Jammu: The tourist 'hot spots'
across picturesque Kashmir Valley and the foothills of Mata Vaishno Devi have
been witnessing huge footfalls bringing back smiles on the faces of tour
operators and all others thriving on the tourism industry to earn their
livelihood. Each day the tourist footfall is recording an upward trend raising
hopes of the tourism industry already
expecting a jam packed summer season ahead.
More than 3 lakh tourists have
arrived here in the first three months to enjoy the cool climes and witness
winter sports events like skiing, winter sport championships, gandola etc.
More than 90,000 tourists have
already visited Asia's largest Tulip garden in Srinagar in the first week after
it was thrown open for visitors. Approximtaely1.5 million Tulips of 68
varieties are decked up across the sprawling garden overlooking the world
famous Dal Lake.
On Monday, the Srinagar
airport alone operated 90 incoming and outgoing flights which ferried more than
15,000 visitors,the largest so far in one single day.
'We handled 45 arriving
flights with 7,824 passengers and 45 departing flights with 7,190 passengers on
Mar 28th. A total of 90 flights with 15,014 passengers makes it the busiest day
in our history. And this is only the beginning of Summer Schedule", the
official twitter handle of Srinagar airport announced.
Ground reports suggested
tourists started flocking the Kashmir valley from different parts of the
country soon after the restrictions
imposed during Covid-19 pandemic were gradually lifted.
To attract more tourists,
various tourism development authorities also organised public events to showcase exotic locations and quick
getaways.
To instill a sense of security among the
visitors elaborate security arrangements
have been made and UT administration is hosting a series of events at these
locations to welcome the tourists.
New tourist destinations, unseen
lakes,meadows, homestay in the high hills, and small treks have been promoted
by various tourism development authorities to attract a rush of visitors.
On the other hand, the pilgrim
traffic in the Katra township, base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi, is also
witnessing an upward trend.
Other prominent tourist places
in Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi and Udhampur districts of Jammu region are witnessing
fresh arrivals from the neighbouring states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh,
Haryana and New Delhi.
On an average 25,000 to 30,000 pilgrims have been offering
special prayers inside the sanctum sanctorum on a daily basis.
The cave shrine is already gearing up to host a large rush of pilgrims
during the nine day long Navratri festival beginning April 2.
In Kashmir valley, destinations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are also attracting a large number of tourists. The local gardens and other local hot spots are also witnessing huge rush of local visitors even as mercury is heading northwards. (Agencies)
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