Jammu and Kashmir Tourism has been awarded with the Best Adventure Tourism Destination Award at the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Ahmedabad, reaffirming the Union Territory’s growing position as one of India’s most diverse and exciting destinations for adventure tourism.The award came at the conclusion of J&amp;K Tourism’s vibrant three-day participation in the prestigious travel fair, where the region emerged as one of the major attractions for travel trade representatives, tourism stakeholders and visitors.&nbsp;During the event, J&amp;K Tourism showcased the Union Territory not merely as a destination of breathtaking landscapes, snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes, but as a place offering immersive experiences rooted in its culture, traditions, cuisine, hospitality and way of life.&nbsp;The delegation extended an open invitation to travellers from Gujarat and across the country to move beyond conventional sightseeing and experience the Himalayan region through adventure, culture and community-based tourism.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amarnath-yatra-suspended-from-august-9-amid-rain-track-repair-and-weather-concerns-1786195100489">Amarnath Yatra suspended from August 9 amid rain, track repair and weather concerns</a>&nbsp;“Come to Jammu and Kashmir not only to see its scenic beauty but to experience it, live its culture, connect with its people and discover the adventure that lies in every corner of the Himalayas,” was the message conveyed by J&amp;K Tourism at the fair.&nbsp;The department highlighted a wide spectrum of adventure activities, including trekking, rafting, skiing, mountaineering and paragliding, alongside homestays, village tourism, heritage experiences and immersive cultural journeys.&nbsp;The focus was particularly on the new-age traveller and younger generation seeking authentic, experiential and adventure-led holidays.&nbsp;J&amp;K Tourism also showcased the potential of homestays and community-based tourism in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities while giving visitors an opportunity to experience the authentic warmth, culture and traditions of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;The TTF Ahmedabad platform provided J&amp;K Tourism an opportunity to engage with the vibrant Gujarat travel market and strengthen partnerships with travel trade representatives, tour operators and tourism stakeholders.&nbsp;The three-day event brought together tourism boards, travel companies, hospitality brands and other stakeholders from India and abroad, providing an important platform for destination promotion and business networking. &nbsp;

During the event, J&K Tourism showcased the Union Territory not merely as a destination of breathtaking landscapes, snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes, but as a place offering immersive experiences rooted in its culture, traditions, cuisine and hospitality.

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism has been awarded with the Best Adventure Tourism Destination Award at the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Ahmedabad, reaffirming the Union Territory’s growing position as one of India’s most diverse and exciting destinations for adventure tourism. The award came at the conclusion of J&K Tourism’s vibrant three-day participation in the prestigious travel fair, where the region emerged as one of the major attractions for travel trade representatives, tourism stakeholders and visitors. During the event, J&K Tourism showcased the Union Territory not merely as a destination of breathtaking landscapes, snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes, but as a place offering immersive experiences rooted in its culture, traditions, cuisine, hospitality and way of life. The delegation extended an open invitation to travellers from Gujarat and across the country to move beyond conventional sightseeing and experience the Himalayan region through adventure, culture and community-based tourism. ALSO READ: Amarnath Yatra suspended from August 9 amid rain, track repair and weather concerns “Come to Jammu and Kashmir not only to see its scenic beauty but to experience it, live its culture, connect with its people and discover the adventure that lies in every corner of the Himalayas,” was the message conveyed by J&K Tourism at the fair. The department highlighted a wide spectrum of adventure activities, including trekking, rafting, skiing, mountaineering and paragliding, alongside homestays, village tourism, heritage experiences and immersive cultural journeys. The focus was particularly on the new-age traveller and younger generation seeking authentic, experiential and adventure-led holidays. J&K Tourism also showcased the potential of homestays and community-based tourism in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities while giving visitors an opportunity to experience the authentic warmth, culture and traditions of Jammu and Kashmir. The TTF Ahmedabad platform provided J&K Tourism an opportunity to engage with the vibrant Gujarat travel market and strengthen partnerships with travel trade representatives, tour operators and tourism stakeholders. The three-day event brought together tourism boards, travel companies, hospitality brands and other stakeholders from India and abroad, providing an important platform for destination promotion and business networking.

During the event, J&amp;K Tourism showcased the Union Territory not merely as a destination of breathtaking landscapes, snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes, but as a place offering immersive experiences rooted in its culture, traditions, cuisine and hospitality.

J&K tourism bags best adventure tourism destination award at TTF Ahmedabad

Kashmir's breathtaking landscapes have long made it one of India's most sought-after tourist destinations. But rapid tourism-driven construction is now raising serious environmental concerns. According to official figures, more than 5,000 hotels have been built across the Kashmir Valley since 2021, with authorities stating that around 90% allegedly lack the required approvals. Popular destinations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gurez, and Doodhpathri are witnessing a surge in hotels, homestays, and commercial buildings.

Kashmir's Tourism Boom Sparks Environmental Alarm | 90% of New Hotels Allegedly Illegal

Kashmir's breathtaking landscapes have long made it one of India's most sought-after tourist destinations. But rapid tourism-driven construction is now raising serious environmental concerns. According to official figures, more than 5,000 hotels have been built across the Kashmir Valley since 2021, with authorities stating that around 90% allegedly lack the required approvals. Popular destinations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gurez, and Doodhpathri are witnessing a surge in hotels, homestays, and commercial buildings.


Kashmir's Tourism Boom Sparks Environmental Fears | 90% of New Hotels Allegedly Illegal

Unchecked construction across Kashmir's premier tourist destinations is raising serious concerns among environmentalists, who warn that the Valley could face devastating ecological consequences if authorities fail to curb the rapid expansion of hotels, homestays, and other commercial structures. Hill resorts such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg, along with once-pristine destinations like Gurez and Doodhpathri, have witnessed an unprecedented construction boom in recent years. Experts caution that continued unregulated development in these ecologically sensitive areas could trigger major environmental disasters in the future. The concerns gained further significance after the Jammu and Kashmir government recently acknowledged that nearly 90 per cent of hotels constructed over the past six years across various tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley are illegal. Based on official figures, an average of 833 hotels have been built annually during this period, with the overwhelming majority lacking the required approvals.&nbsp; Among the worst-affected destinations are Pahalgam and Sonmarg, where large-scale commercial construction has transformed the landscape. The construction boom has also spread to remote areas such as Gurez, where hotels and homestays are rapidly replacing previously untouched natural landscapes. Doodhpathri in central Kashmir's Budgam district, which has emerged as a popular tourist destination in recent years, is also witnessing a sharp rise in construction activity. "If I give you the figures, since 2021 the Valley has seen the construction of more than 5,000 hotels. Around 90% of them are illegal, while only 10% have been built legally," said LG Manoj Sinha.&nbsp; Environmentalists argue that the rapid growth of tourism infrastructure has far outpaced the development of civic amenities and environmental safeguards. They warn that waste management systems, water resources, road infrastructure, and other essential services are struggling to cope with the increasing tourist influx. There are virtually no effective checks and balances on the number of visitors entering many tourist destinations. According to the experts, &nbsp;Tourist footfall must be regulated according to the ecological carrying capacity of each destination if sustainable tourism is to be ensured. "There has definitely been an impact on our forests—we've lost nearly 10% of our forest cover over the past decade. While we still have substantial forests, conservation and afforestation efforts have not kept pace. A tree cut today takes around 20 years to regenerate, so every tree felled should be replaced with several more.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/parliament-clears-vande-mataram-bill-makes-insult-to-national-song-a-criminal-offence-1785408853799">Parliament clears Vande Mataram Bill, makes insult to National Song a criminal offence</a>&nbsp;The growing pressure from tourism has also led to illegal construction in forest areas, with guesthouses, hotels, and huts encroaching on ecologically sensitive land. Such land-use changes destabilise topsoil, increase erosion, and clog rivers and tributaries. Kashmir is an ecologically fragile region, and any disturbance to its natural balance has serious consequences. We're already seeing the effects of climate change. Cloudbursts, once rare and mostly confined to higher altitudes, have become far more frequent and intense across both Kashmir and Jammu," said Ajaz Rasool, an environmentalist. Experts believe that without strict enforcement of building regulations, effective land-use planning, and scientific assessment of carrying capacity, Kashmir's scenic landscapes could face irreversible environmental degradation.&nbsp;

Kashmir's rapid and largely unregulated tourism-driven construction boom, including a high number of illegal hotels and homestays, is putting forests, water resources and fragile ecosystems at growing risk of irreversible environmental damage.

Unchecked construction across Kashmir's premier tourist destinations is raising serious concerns among environmentalists, who warn that the Valley could face devastating ecological consequences if authorities fail to curb the rapid expansion of hotels, homestays, and other commercial structures. Hill resorts such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg, along with once-pristine destinations like Gurez and Doodhpathri, have witnessed an unprecedented construction boom in recent years. Experts caution that continued unregulated development in these ecologically sensitive areas could trigger major environmental disasters in the future. The concerns gained further significance after the Jammu and Kashmir government recently acknowledged that nearly 90 per cent of hotels constructed over the past six years across various tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley are illegal. Based on official figures, an average of 833 hotels have been built annually during this period, with the overwhelming majority lacking the required approvals. Among the worst-affected destinations are Pahalgam and Sonmarg, where large-scale commercial construction has transformed the landscape. The construction boom has also spread to remote areas such as Gurez, where hotels and homestays are rapidly replacing previously untouched natural landscapes. Doodhpathri in central Kashmir's Budgam district, which has emerged as a popular tourist destination in recent years, is also witnessing a sharp rise in construction activity. "If I give you the figures, since 2021 the Valley has seen the construction of more than 5,000 hotels. Around 90% of them are illegal, while only 10% have been built legally," said LG Manoj Sinha. Environmentalists argue that the rapid growth of tourism infrastructure has far outpaced the development of civic amenities and environmental safeguards. They warn that waste management systems, water resources, road infrastructure, and other essential services are struggling to cope with the increasing tourist influx. There are virtually no effective checks and balances on the number of visitors entering many tourist destinations. According to the experts, Tourist footfall must be regulated according to the ecological carrying capacity of each destination if sustainable tourism is to be ensured. "There has definitely been an impact on our forests—we've lost nearly 10% of our forest cover over the past decade. While we still have substantial forests, conservation and afforestation efforts have not kept pace. A tree cut today takes around 20 years to regenerate, so every tree felled should be replaced with several more. Also Read: Parliament clears Vande Mataram Bill, makes insult to National Song a criminal offence The growing pressure from tourism has also led to illegal construction in forest areas, with guesthouses, hotels, and huts encroaching on ecologically sensitive land. Such land-use changes destabilise topsoil, increase erosion, and clog rivers and tributaries. Kashmir is an ecologically fragile region, and any disturbance to its natural balance has serious consequences. We're already seeing the effects of climate change. Cloudbursts, once rare and mostly confined to higher altitudes, have become far more frequent and intense across both Kashmir and Jammu," said Ajaz Rasool, an environmentalist. Experts believe that without strict enforcement of building regulations, effective land-use planning, and scientific assessment of carrying capacity, Kashmir's scenic landscapes could face irreversible environmental degradation.

Kashmir's rapid and largely unregulated tourism-driven construction boom, including a high number of illegal hotels and homestays, is putting forests, water resources and fragile ecosystems at growing risk of irreversible environmental damage.

Kashmir's tourism boom comes at a cost: Forests shrink, illegal hotels rise

The Kashmir tourism industry, already struggling to recover from the fallout of the Pahalgam terror attack, is staring at another major challenge as extensive runway maintenance at Srinagar Airport is likely to disrupt air connectivity during the peak tourism season.&nbsp;According to a passenger advisory issued by Srinagar Airport, authorities have proposed a phased runway maintenance schedule in coordination with the Indian Air Force, which could significantly impact flight operations between July and October this year.&nbsp;Under the proposed plan, the airport runway will remain unavailable every Monday and Tuesday from July 1 to September 30, 2026, to facilitate maintenance work. If approved, the schedule is expected to lead to alterations in commercial flight operations on those days, affecting thousands of passengers, including tourists visiting the Valley during the summer and autumn seasons.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/annamalai-to-launch-new-party-in-tamil-nadu-former-bjp-leader-resigns-as-party-s-state-president-1780397209489">Annamalai to launch new party in Tamil Nadu? Former BJP leader resigns as party's state president</a>&nbsp;The disruption is expected to intensify further with a proposed complete closure of runway operations from October 1 to October 16, 2026. During this period, no aircraft movements would be possible, effectively suspending all air traffic to and from Kashmir if the proposal receives final regulatory clearance.&nbsp;''As part of the planned runway maintenance works by the Indian Air Force, it is proposed that the runway at Srinagar Airport may remain unavailable on every Monday and Tuesday from 01 July 2026 to 30 September 2026. Further, a total closure of runway operations is proposed from 01 October 2026 to 16 October 2026. Passengers are kindly advised that the above plan is presently under the planning phase. As soon as the schedule is formally approved, detailed updates will be shared through official channels. Passengers are requested to stay connected with Srinagar Airport and their respective airlines for authentic and timely information, and avoid relying on unverified sources.'' said Srinagar Airport Authority.&nbsp;The announcement comes at a sensitive time for Kashmir's tourism sector, which has been attempting to regain momentum after a decline in visitor arrivals following the Pahalgam attack. Tourism stakeholders fear that prolonged disruptions in air connectivity could result in cancellations, reduced bookings, and financial losses for hotels, tour operators, transport providers, and other businesses dependent on the sector.&nbsp;"Obviously, this is very unfortunate. At a time when Kashmir's tourism sector is working hard to recover and regain momentum, such a decision will have serious consequences. While the proposed restrictions in July may not have a major impact because tourist arrivals generally slow down during the Amarnath Yatra period, the planned closure in October is a huge concern.&nbsp;October is one of the busiest tourism months not only for Kashmir but across India. It coincides with major festivals such as Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali, when travel demand is at its peak. Shutting down airport operations during this period could severely affect tourist arrivals and lead to significant economic losses. After the Pahalgam attack, the tourism industry was completely grounded. It took tremendous efforts from the government, tourism stakeholders, hoteliers, travel operators and local communities to restore confidence and bring tourists back to the Valley. Just when tourism was beginning to revive, this proposed closure threatens to undo much of that progress, '' said Tariq Ghani, President, Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp;''The tourism economy in Kashmir benefits everyone from hoteliers and houseboat owners to taxi drivers, shikara operators, shopkeepers and small vendors. The revenue generated by tourism circulates through the entire economy and supports thousands of livelihoods. We are not opposed to the upgradation and maintenance of the airport. Such work is necessary and important. However, the timing is not practical. The authorities should reconsider the October closure and, if possible, reschedule the work to November or December, when the impact on tourism would be far less. The government should review this proposal urgently, as proceeding with the closure during peak season could prove disastrous for the tourism sector and the wider economy of Kashmir," he further added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bengal-signature-row-trinamool-congress-expels-2-mlas-abhishek-banerjee-served-second-notice-by-cid-1780319284079">Bengal signature row: TMC expels 2 MLAs, Abhishek Banerjee served second notice</a>&nbsp;Airport officials, however, clarified that the maintenance schedule remains in the planning stage and has not yet been finalised. Detailed operational guidelines and information regarding commercial flight schedules will be released after obtaining the necessary approvals from the concerned authorities. Authorities emphasised that the maintenance project is essential for ensuring the long-term safety, reliability, and operational efficiency of the airport's runway infrastructure, a critical lifeline for the Kashmir Valley's connectivity with the rest of the country. Industry representatives have urged authorities to minimise disruptions and explore alternative arrangements wherever possible to safeguard the tourism sector, which contributes significantly to the region's economy and employment.&nbsp;"Unfortunately, I must say that this decision is likely to have a significant impact on Kashmir's tourism industry. Our only hope is that the government reconsiders the proposal and explores alternative options before implementing it. With the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and the peak tourism season ahead, any disruption in air connectivity will directly affect the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on tourism, said Manzoor Pakhtoon, President of the Houseboat Association, Kashmir.&nbsp;''We worked extremely hard to revive the sector after the Pahalgam terror attack, and the results are visible today as tourist arrivals have started picking up again. However, news of the proposed airport closure has already created uncertainty among travellers. Many tourists are contacting us to ask whether it will still be possible to visit Kashmir during that period.&nbsp;&nbsp;We strongly suggest that alternative arrangements be considered. If the maintenance work is essential, authorities could explore carrying it out during night hours or other non-peak operational periods to minimise disruption. The tourism industry, along with the government and other stakeholders, has invested considerable effort and resources in promoting Kashmir as a destination and restoring visitor confidence. A prolonged closure during the peak season risks undermining those efforts and could negatively affect the entire tourism ecosystem." He further added.&nbsp;Further updates on the maintenance schedule and its operational impact are expected once the final plan receives regulatory approval.

Srinagar Airport’s proposed runway maintenance from July to October 2026 threatens to disrupt flight operations, sparking deep concerns over economic losses within Kashmir’s recovering tourism industry.

The Kashmir tourism industry, already struggling to recover from the fallout of the Pahalgam terror attack, is staring at another major challenge as extensive runway maintenance at Srinagar Airport is likely to disrupt air connectivity during the peak tourism season. According to a passenger advisory issued by Srinagar Airport, authorities have proposed a phased runway maintenance schedule in coordination with the Indian Air Force, which could significantly impact flight operations between July and October this year. Under the proposed plan, the airport runway will remain unavailable every Monday and Tuesday from July 1 to September 30, 2026, to facilitate maintenance work. If approved, the schedule is expected to lead to alterations in commercial flight operations on those days, affecting thousands of passengers, including tourists visiting the Valley during the summer and autumn seasons. Also read: Annamalai to launch new party in Tamil Nadu? Former BJP leader resigns as party's state president The disruption is expected to intensify further with a proposed complete closure of runway operations from October 1 to October 16, 2026. During this period, no aircraft movements would be possible, effectively suspending all air traffic to and from Kashmir if the proposal receives final regulatory clearance. ''As part of the planned runway maintenance works by the Indian Air Force, it is proposed that the runway at Srinagar Airport may remain unavailable on every Monday and Tuesday from 01 July 2026 to 30 September 2026. Further, a total closure of runway operations is proposed from 01 October 2026 to 16 October 2026. Passengers are kindly advised that the above plan is presently under the planning phase. As soon as the schedule is formally approved, detailed updates will be shared through official channels. Passengers are requested to stay connected with Srinagar Airport and their respective airlines for authentic and timely information, and avoid relying on unverified sources.'' said Srinagar Airport Authority. The announcement comes at a sensitive time for Kashmir's tourism sector, which has been attempting to regain momentum after a decline in visitor arrivals following the Pahalgam attack. Tourism stakeholders fear that prolonged disruptions in air connectivity could result in cancellations, reduced bookings, and financial losses for hotels, tour operators, transport providers, and other businesses dependent on the sector. "Obviously, this is very unfortunate. At a time when Kashmir's tourism sector is working hard to recover and regain momentum, such a decision will have serious consequences. While the proposed restrictions in July may not have a major impact because tourist arrivals generally slow down during the Amarnath Yatra period, the planned closure in October is a huge concern. October is one of the busiest tourism months not only for Kashmir but across India. It coincides with major festivals such as Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali, when travel demand is at its peak. Shutting down airport operations during this period could severely affect tourist arrivals and lead to significant economic losses. After the Pahalgam attack, the tourism industry was completely grounded. It took tremendous efforts from the government, tourism stakeholders, hoteliers, travel operators and local communities to restore confidence and bring tourists back to the Valley. Just when tourism was beginning to revive, this proposed closure threatens to undo much of that progress, '' said Tariq Ghani, President, Chamber of Commerce. ''The tourism economy in Kashmir benefits everyone from hoteliers and houseboat owners to taxi drivers, shikara operators, shopkeepers and small vendors. The revenue generated by tourism circulates through the entire economy and supports thousands of livelihoods. We are not opposed to the upgradation and maintenance of the airport. Such work is necessary and important. However, the timing is not practical. The authorities should reconsider the October closure and, if possible, reschedule the work to November or December, when the impact on tourism would be far less. The government should review this proposal urgently, as proceeding with the closure during peak season could prove disastrous for the tourism sector and the wider economy of Kashmir," he further added. Also read: Bengal signature row: TMC expels 2 MLAs, Abhishek Banerjee served second notice Airport officials, however, clarified that the maintenance schedule remains in the planning stage and has not yet been finalised. Detailed operational guidelines and information regarding commercial flight schedules will be released after obtaining the necessary approvals from the concerned authorities. Authorities emphasised that the maintenance project is essential for ensuring the long-term safety, reliability, and operational efficiency of the airport's runway infrastructure, a critical lifeline for the Kashmir Valley's connectivity with the rest of the country. Industry representatives have urged authorities to minimise disruptions and explore alternative arrangements wherever possible to safeguard the tourism sector, which contributes significantly to the region's economy and employment. "Unfortunately, I must say that this decision is likely to have a significant impact on Kashmir's tourism industry. Our only hope is that the government reconsiders the proposal and explores alternative options before implementing it. With the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and the peak tourism season ahead, any disruption in air connectivity will directly affect the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on tourism, said Manzoor Pakhtoon, President of the Houseboat Association, Kashmir. ''We worked extremely hard to revive the sector after the Pahalgam terror attack, and the results are visible today as tourist arrivals have started picking up again. However, news of the proposed airport closure has already created uncertainty among travellers. Many tourists are contacting us to ask whether it will still be possible to visit Kashmir during that period. We strongly suggest that alternative arrangements be considered. If the maintenance work is essential, authorities could explore carrying it out during night hours or other non-peak operational periods to minimise disruption. The tourism industry, along with the government and other stakeholders, has invested considerable effort and resources in promoting Kashmir as a destination and restoring visitor confidence. A prolonged closure during the peak season risks undermining those efforts and could negatively affect the entire tourism ecosystem." He further added. Further updates on the maintenance schedule and its operational impact are expected once the final plan receives regulatory approval.

Srinagar Airport’s proposed runway maintenance from July to October 2026 threatens to disrupt flight operations, sparking deep concerns over economic losses within Kashmir’s recovering tourism industry.

Fresh setback for Kashmir tourism as Srinagar airport faces planned runway closures

Srinagar: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has directed security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir to significantly strengthen security across major tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley. Following the directive and a comprehensive security audit, authorities have rolled out extensive deployments and heightened surveillance at key tourist hubs to ensure the safety of visitors. The move comes as tourism in the region shows strong signs of recovery after a prolonged setback.&nbsp;Security has been intensified at prominent tourist destinations, including Gulmarg in north Kashmir, Sonamarg in central Kashmir, and Pahalgam in south Kashmir. In Srinagar, special focus has been placed on high-footfall areas such as the Dal Lake and Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden.&nbsp;Officials said the Union Home Secretary has instructed agencies to tighten security grids around all tourist sites. Personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other paramilitary units have been deployed in large numbers at strategic locations across the Valley.&nbsp;At the Tulip Garden, security arrangements have been significantly scaled up. All entry and exit points are under strict surveillance, with a visible presence of armed personnel to prevent any untoward incidents.&nbsp;“There is no comparison to the beauty of Kashmir, it truly lives up to its reputation as a paradise. We feel completely safe here, with a strong security presence everywhere and no sense of tension or concern. We’ve been able to move around freely and enjoy every moment. We visited Gulmarg and Sonamarg, and every place was wonderful. I would encourage everyone to come and experience it for themselves,” said Amarjeet Singh, a tourist.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tourists visiting the Valley have expressed confidence in the enhanced security measures, with many appreciating the government’s efforts to ensure their safety.&nbsp;“Kashmir is truly no less than a paradise. From the stunning Tulip Garden to the serene Dal Lake, everything here is simply beautiful. It feels incredibly safe and calm, with a strong security presence throughout. This is my fourth visit, and every time I come here, I feel a deep sense of peace. I would encourage many more people to visit, Kashmir is a place you don’t just see once but return to again and again,” said another tourist Brajesh Patel.&nbsp;&nbsp;The renewed focus on security comes at a crucial time for Kashmir’s tourism sector, which has been recovering after being severely impacted by the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. In recent months, tourist inflow has steadily increased.&nbsp;Officials noted that the opening of the Tulip Garden has already drawn significant crowds, with around 85,000 visitors recorded within the first ten days. The surge in tourist arrivals has been a key factor behind the decision to further tighten security across the Kashmir Valley.

Security arrangements have been beefed up at prominent tourist destinations, including Gulmarg in north Kashmir, Sonamarg in central Kashmir, and Pahalgam in south Kashmir. In Srinagar, special focus has been placed on high-footfall areas such as the Dal Lake and Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden.

Srinagar: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has directed security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir to significantly strengthen security across major tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley. Following the directive and a comprehensive security audit, authorities have rolled out extensive deployments and heightened surveillance at key tourist hubs to ensure the safety of visitors. The move comes as tourism in the region shows strong signs of recovery after a prolonged setback. Security has been intensified at prominent tourist destinations, including Gulmarg in north Kashmir, Sonamarg in central Kashmir, and Pahalgam in south Kashmir. In Srinagar, special focus has been placed on high-footfall areas such as the Dal Lake and Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden. Officials said the Union Home Secretary has instructed agencies to tighten security grids around all tourist sites. Personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other paramilitary units have been deployed in large numbers at strategic locations across the Valley. At the Tulip Garden, security arrangements have been significantly scaled up. All entry and exit points are under strict surveillance, with a visible presence of armed personnel to prevent any untoward incidents. “There is no comparison to the beauty of Kashmir, it truly lives up to its reputation as a paradise. We feel completely safe here, with a strong security presence everywhere and no sense of tension or concern. We’ve been able to move around freely and enjoy every moment. We visited Gulmarg and Sonamarg, and every place was wonderful. I would encourage everyone to come and experience it for themselves,” said Amarjeet Singh, a tourist. Tourists visiting the Valley have expressed confidence in the enhanced security measures, with many appreciating the government’s efforts to ensure their safety. “Kashmir is truly no less than a paradise. From the stunning Tulip Garden to the serene Dal Lake, everything here is simply beautiful. It feels incredibly safe and calm, with a strong security presence throughout. This is my fourth visit, and every time I come here, I feel a deep sense of peace. I would encourage many more people to visit, Kashmir is a place you don’t just see once but return to again and again,” said another tourist Brajesh Patel. The renewed focus on security comes at a crucial time for Kashmir’s tourism sector, which has been recovering after being severely impacted by the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. In recent months, tourist inflow has steadily increased. Officials noted that the opening of the Tulip Garden has already drawn significant crowds, with around 85,000 visitors recorded within the first ten days. The surge in tourist arrivals has been a key factor behind the decision to further tighten security across the Kashmir Valley.

Security arrangements have been beefed up at prominent tourist destinations, including Gulmarg in north Kashmir, Sonamarg in central Kashmir, and Pahalgam in south Kashmir. In Srinagar, special focus has been placed on high-footfall areas such as the Dal Lake and Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden.

Kashmir witnesses tourism spike, authorities ramp up security

With the arrival of spring in the Kashmir Valley, thousands of almond trees burst into full bloom, transforming the landscape into a breathtaking spectacle. Their delicate pink and white blossoms create a mesmerizing floral wonderland. In the heart of the city, Badamwari Garden in Srinagar stands out with its vast expanse of almond trees, now fully blossomed and ready to welcome both tourists and locals. To celebrate this beautiful season, the floriculture Department of Kashmir has also organized a special Almond Blossom Festival, adding to the charm and festive spirit of the valley.&nbsp;&nbsp;The gardens of the Valley are finally transforming into vibrant palettes of almond and cherry blossoms. These blossoms mark the first flowers to bloom each season, signaling the arrival of spring. The historic Badamwari Garden, spread across nearly 300 kanals at the foothills of the Koh-e-Maraan mountain, is home to more than a thousand almond trees that burst into bloom during this time, creating a spectacular display of colour. &nbsp;The Department of Floriculture has undertaken extensive measures this year to enhance the charm and visitor experience of this iconic spring destination. In a significant step towards revitalizing the garden’s floral landscape, the department has planted additional 300 fresh almond trees. To further enrich the blooming calendar, a dedicated lavender patch has also been developed within the garden.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tourist-footfall-returns-to-kashmir-as-key-destinations-reopen-1771570818365">Tourist footfall returns to Kashmir as key destinations reopen nearly a year after Pahalgam terror attack</a>&nbsp;“Since this is the first bloom of the spring season, it begins in Badamwari. Locals are very fond of this garden and have always come here with their families to enjoy the almond blossoms. This year, we have simply added a touch of creativity and festivity. We have brought the essence of the entire spring bloom to this garden so that visitors can experience the full beauty of the season. While almond blossoms remain the main attraction, we have also added other spring flowers such as daffodils and tulips. In addition, we have tried to rejuvenate the garden by planting more almond trees, and we are starting the Spring Festival from Badamwari.” &nbsp;said Mathora Masoom, Director Floriculture, Kashmir.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Floriculture Department has introduced several new amenities while carefully preserving the garden’s traditional aesthetics and heritage character. At the same time, modern, visitor-friendly features have been integrated to enhance the overall experience. With these improvements in place, Badamwari is now ready to welcome nature lovers, tourists, and residents alike to witness its enchanting bloom and celebrate the arrival of spring in one of Srinagar’s most cherished heritage gardens. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A large number of locals and tourists have already started arriving at the Almond Garden. According to the Floriculture Department, the footfall is expected to increase even further in the coming days. The blooming season also marks the beginning of the new tourist season, and officials are hopeful that more visitors will travel to the valley to witness the almond and cherry blossoms. &nbsp;&nbsp;''It is beyond beautiful here. Kashmir is truly stunning, and every season has its own unique charm. Being here almost feels like walking through those Japanese gardens known for their cherry and almond blossoms. I feel very lucky to experience this garden in person, many people only get to see it in pictures but witnessing it like this is far beyond my expectations.” said Vishal Vinayak, a tourist.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some of the tourists visiting say they have never experienced anything so mesmerizing in their lives. &nbsp;“This is such a beautiful garden. It’s my first visit to Badamwari, and I’m absolutely loving it here. We had seen videos on social media, but in reality, it looks so much more beautiful. There’s simply no comparison to the beauty of Kashmir. Everyone should visit the Kashmir Valley.” said Prashant, a Tourist. The Department of Floriculture has thrown open the garden and is inviting everyone to visit Badamwari to experience the beauty, fragrance, and renewed vibrancy of this historic garden during the festival. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The gardens of the Valley are finally transforming into vibrant palettes of almond and cherry blossoms. These blossoms mark the first flowers to bloom each season, signalling the arrival of spring. 

With the arrival of spring in the Kashmir Valley, thousands of almond trees burst into full bloom, transforming the landscape into a breathtaking spectacle. Their delicate pink and white blossoms create a mesmerizing floral wonderland. In the heart of the city, Badamwari Garden in Srinagar stands out with its vast expanse of almond trees, now fully blossomed and ready to welcome both tourists and locals. To celebrate this beautiful season, the floriculture Department of Kashmir has also organized a special Almond Blossom Festival, adding to the charm and festive spirit of the valley. The gardens of the Valley are finally transforming into vibrant palettes of almond and cherry blossoms. These blossoms mark the first flowers to bloom each season, signaling the arrival of spring. The historic Badamwari Garden, spread across nearly 300 kanals at the foothills of the Koh-e-Maraan mountain, is home to more than a thousand almond trees that burst into bloom during this time, creating a spectacular display of colour. The Department of Floriculture has undertaken extensive measures this year to enhance the charm and visitor experience of this iconic spring destination. In a significant step towards revitalizing the garden’s floral landscape, the department has planted additional 300 fresh almond trees. To further enrich the blooming calendar, a dedicated lavender patch has also been developed within the garden. Also read: Tourist footfall returns to Kashmir as key destinations reopen nearly a year after Pahalgam terror attack “Since this is the first bloom of the spring season, it begins in Badamwari. Locals are very fond of this garden and have always come here with their families to enjoy the almond blossoms. This year, we have simply added a touch of creativity and festivity. We have brought the essence of the entire spring bloom to this garden so that visitors can experience the full beauty of the season. While almond blossoms remain the main attraction, we have also added other spring flowers such as daffodils and tulips. In addition, we have tried to rejuvenate the garden by planting more almond trees, and we are starting the Spring Festival from Badamwari.” said Mathora Masoom, Director Floriculture, Kashmir. The Floriculture Department has introduced several new amenities while carefully preserving the garden’s traditional aesthetics and heritage character. At the same time, modern, visitor-friendly features have been integrated to enhance the overall experience. With these improvements in place, Badamwari is now ready to welcome nature lovers, tourists, and residents alike to witness its enchanting bloom and celebrate the arrival of spring in one of Srinagar’s most cherished heritage gardens. A large number of locals and tourists have already started arriving at the Almond Garden. According to the Floriculture Department, the footfall is expected to increase even further in the coming days. The blooming season also marks the beginning of the new tourist season, and officials are hopeful that more visitors will travel to the valley to witness the almond and cherry blossoms. ''It is beyond beautiful here. Kashmir is truly stunning, and every season has its own unique charm. Being here almost feels like walking through those Japanese gardens known for their cherry and almond blossoms. I feel very lucky to experience this garden in person, many people only get to see it in pictures but witnessing it like this is far beyond my expectations.” said Vishal Vinayak, a tourist. Some of the tourists visiting say they have never experienced anything so mesmerizing in their lives. “This is such a beautiful garden. It’s my first visit to Badamwari, and I’m absolutely loving it here. We had seen videos on social media, but in reality, it looks so much more beautiful. There’s simply no comparison to the beauty of Kashmir. Everyone should visit the Kashmir Valley.” said Prashant, a Tourist. The Department of Floriculture has thrown open the garden and is inviting everyone to visit Badamwari to experience the beauty, fragrance, and renewed vibrancy of this historic garden during the festival.

The gardens of the Valley are finally transforming into vibrant palettes of almond and cherry blossoms. These blossoms mark the first flowers to bloom each season, signaling the arrival of spring.&nbsp;

Spring’s First Whisper: Badamwari Garden Blossoms in Kashmir’s Embrace

Kashmir’s tourism industry has once again demonstrated remarkable resilience, with visitor numbers in 2026 projected to surpass all previous records. This strong recovery follows a challenging period in 2025, marked by security concerns, including the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam. Although the sector experienced a significant setback in the aftermath of the incident, it has steadily regained momentum and is now firmly back on a growth trajectory, reflecting renewed traveller confidence and sustained demand. &nbsp;Iconic destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam have reported near-full hotel occupancy, fuelled by a strong surge in domestic tourism and reinforced security measures that have helped sustain traveller confidence.“There is a clear revival in tourism across the Kashmir Valley. Visitor numbers are now almost on par with what we recorded last winter, which shows that the sector is firmly back on track. The figures have remained consistent and are nearly matching last year’s trends. We anticipate an even stronger inflow in the coming months, particularly in March and April, when we expect tourists to arrive in large numbers. With this steady momentum, we are confident that tourism will continue to grow and surpass previous benchmarks,” said Syed Qamar Sajad, Director of Tourism.Security has been significantly strengthened across all major tourist resorts in the Kashmir Valley to ensure that visitors feel safe and comfortable during their stay. Tourists have expressed their admiration for the region, saying there is no place in the world quite like Kashmir, especially Gulmarg.“Kashmir is truly breathtaking and unlike any other place. Everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime; it really is paradise on earth. We’re absolutely loving the snow here. It’s incredibly beautiful, and honestly, we don’t want to leave. We feel like staying here forever. We did have some doubts before coming because of the Pahalgam attack, but once we arrived, all our worries disappeared. The security arrangements are excellent, and both the security forces and the locals have been extremely supportive and welcoming,” said Shiv, a tourist.Hotels in Gulmarg are completely jam-packed, with thousands of visitors flocking to the famous gondola rides to Kongdori and the higher reaches of Apharwat. Many tourists can be seen capturing reels and sharing moments on social media, while others simply soak in the breathtaking views of Gulmarg’s snow-capped mountains and serene landscape.“This truly feels like paradise. I have never seen views like this in my entire life. We’ve come here from Maharashtra for the first time, and it’s unbelievably beautiful. It’s very cold, of course, but we’re thoroughly enjoying the chill and the snow. Despite the major setback the Kashmir tourism industry has faced, this snowfall and the winter season are proving to be a real game-changer. The stunning winter landscape is sure to boost tourist arrivals across the Kashmir Valley,” said Abira Ahir, a tourist.Snow has long been one of the main attractions drawing tourists to the Kashmir Valley.“It’s absolutely wonderful here, it truly feels like paradise. There’s no place in India quite like Kashmir; nothing compares to its beauty. It’s even more breathtaking than what we’ve seen in social media videos. We definitely feel like coming back to Kashmir every year now,” said Akash Ahir, a tourist.The tourism industry of the Kashmir region is hopeful that the upcoming spring season will bring a major surge in visitors, potentially breaking all previous tourist footfall records set in past years.

Security has been significantly strengthened across all major tourist resorts in the Kashmir Valley to ensure that visitors feel safe and comfortable during their stay.

Kashmir’s tourism industry has once again demonstrated remarkable resilience, with visitor numbers in 2026 projected to surpass all previous records. This strong recovery follows a challenging period in 2025, marked by security concerns, including the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam. Although the sector experienced a significant setback in the aftermath of the incident, it has steadily regained momentum and is now firmly back on a growth trajectory, reflecting renewed traveller confidence and sustained demand. Iconic destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam have reported near-full hotel occupancy, fuelled by a strong surge in domestic tourism and reinforced security measures that have helped sustain traveller confidence. “There is a clear revival in tourism across the Kashmir Valley. Visitor numbers are now almost on par with what we recorded last winter, which shows that the sector is firmly back on track. The figures have remained consistent and are nearly matching last year’s trends. We anticipate an even stronger inflow in the coming months, particularly in March and April, when we expect tourists to arrive in large numbers. With this steady momentum, we are confident that tourism will continue to grow and surpass previous benchmarks,” said Syed Qamar Sajad, Director of Tourism. Security has been significantly strengthened across all major tourist resorts in the Kashmir Valley to ensure that visitors feel safe and comfortable during their stay. Tourists have expressed their admiration for the region, saying there is no place in the world quite like Kashmir, especially Gulmarg. “Kashmir is truly breathtaking and unlike any other place. Everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime; it really is paradise on earth. We’re absolutely loving the snow here. It’s incredibly beautiful, and honestly, we don’t want to leave. We feel like staying here forever. We did have some doubts before coming because of the Pahalgam attack, but once we arrived, all our worries disappeared. The security arrangements are excellent, and both the security forces and the locals have been extremely supportive and welcoming,” said Shiv, a tourist. Hotels in Gulmarg are completely jam-packed, with thousands of visitors flocking to the famous gondola rides to Kongdori and the higher reaches of Apharwat. Many tourists can be seen capturing reels and sharing moments on social media, while others simply soak in the breathtaking views of Gulmarg’s snow-capped mountains and serene landscape. “This truly feels like paradise. I have never seen views like this in my entire life. We’ve come here from Maharashtra for the first time, and it’s unbelievably beautiful. It’s very cold, of course, but we’re thoroughly enjoying the chill and the snow. Despite the major setback the Kashmir tourism industry has faced, this snowfall and the winter season are proving to be a real game-changer. The stunning winter landscape is sure to boost tourist arrivals across the Kashmir Valley,” said Abira Ahir, a tourist. Snow has long been one of the main attractions drawing tourists to the Kashmir Valley. “It’s absolutely wonderful here, it truly feels like paradise. There’s no place in India quite like Kashmir; nothing compares to its beauty. It’s even more breathtaking than what we’ve seen in social media videos. We definitely feel like coming back to Kashmir every year now,” said Akash Ahir, a tourist. The tourism industry of the Kashmir region is hopeful that the upcoming spring season will bring a major surge in visitors, potentially breaking all previous tourist footfall records set in past years.

Security has been significantly strengthened across all major tourist resorts in the Kashmir Valley to ensure that visitors feel safe and comfortable during their stay.

Kashmir tourism bounces back: Visitor numbers in 2026 set to shatter records after 2025 setback

After an eight-month closure triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack which had forced the shutdown of 48 tourist sites across the Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has finally reopened Drung, one of the region’s most cherished and picturesque destinations, to visitors once again.&nbsp;With heightened security arrangements and visible confidence-building measures by the authorities, tourists and locals have begun returning to the picturesque destination, drawn once again to its stunning landscapes and serene ambiance.&nbsp;Tourists flocking to Kashmir have welcomed the reopening with delight, thrilled at the chance to include Drung in their itineraries alongside the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg. Nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the Gulmarg mountains, Drung’s serene meadows and cascading waterfall now offer the perfect scenic detour or day trip from the iconic slopes.&nbsp;''Tourists are very happy, it feels great to be here. This is very beautiful. I can't tell you how happy we are that we were here, and it has been thrown open today. There is so much love here, people are so great. We have had so much fun and to look at this waterfall makes it much more fun, '' said Ashutosh, Tourist.&nbsp;The reopening delivers a vital lifeline to the local economy, breathing new hope into hundreds of families whose livelihoods hinge on tourism. More than just an economic boost, it stands as a powerful testament to Kashmir’s enduring spirit that neither fear nor uncertainty can dim the Valley’s magnetic pull.&nbsp;Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had announced the phased reopening of 28 popular tourist destinations across the Valley and Jammu region, marking a major step toward restoring the tourism sector. The decision followed an extensive high-level security review.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Tourists flocking to Kashmir have welcomed the reopening with delight, thrilled at the chance to include Drung in their itineraries alongside the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg.

After an eight-month closure triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack which had forced the shutdown of 48 tourist sites across the Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has finally reopened Drung, one of the region’s most cherished and picturesque destinations, to visitors once again. With heightened security arrangements and visible confidence-building measures by the authorities, tourists and locals have begun returning to the picturesque destination, drawn once again to its stunning landscapes and serene ambiance. Tourists flocking to Kashmir have welcomed the reopening with delight, thrilled at the chance to include Drung in their itineraries alongside the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg. Nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the Gulmarg mountains, Drung’s serene meadows and cascading waterfall now offer the perfect scenic detour or day trip from the iconic slopes. ''Tourists are very happy, it feels great to be here. This is very beautiful. I can't tell you how happy we are that we were here, and it has been thrown open today. There is so much love here, people are so great. We have had so much fun and to look at this waterfall makes it much more fun, '' said Ashutosh, Tourist. The reopening delivers a vital lifeline to the local economy, breathing new hope into hundreds of families whose livelihoods hinge on tourism. More than just an economic boost, it stands as a powerful testament to Kashmir’s enduring spirit that neither fear nor uncertainty can dim the Valley’s magnetic pull. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had announced the phased reopening of 28 popular tourist destinations across the Valley and Jammu region, marking a major step toward restoring the tourism sector. The decision followed an extensive high-level security review.

Tourists flocking to Kashmir have welcomed the reopening with delight, thrilled at the chance to include Drung in their itineraries alongside the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg.

From fear to falls: Drung reopens, signals tourism revival in Kashmir valley

Six months after the Pahalgam terror attack, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced the reopening of 12 additional tourist destinations across the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. This builds on the earlier success of making 16 out of 48 identified tourist spots accessible to visitors. With today’s announcement, a total of 28 destinations is now open, revitalizing tourism in the region.The decision was taken after a hhigh-levelsecurity review and discussion in the Unified Headquarters meeting. Seven tourist spots in Kashmir Division including Aru Valley, Rafting Point Yanner, Akkad Park, Padshahi Park, Kaman Post and five in Jammu Division including Dagan Top, Ramban, Dhaggar in Kathua, Shiv Cave in Salal, Reasi have been reopened from today.Tourism stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed immense relief and optimism following the government's decision to reopen additional tourist destinations. With the vibrant autumn season approaching, they believe this move will significantly boost tourism, drawing visitors to the region's stunning landscapes. They have also urged the authorities to expedite the reopening of all remaining tourism sites before the onset of the winter tourism season to maximize economic opportunities and showcase the region's year-round appeal.''I highly appreciate the decision of Hon'ble LG to reopen the 12 tourist places. People were thinking due to the closure of these places whether it is still safe to go to these places. This is a very wise decision and that too in the Puja holiday season followed by winter tourism. I would request the LG that few destinations are still closed, and those places should be thrown open as well. It's a great confidence building measure to make tourists feel safer. We have faced a lot of loss this year, the market is zero and tourism is at its lowest '' said Tariq Ghani, President, Chamber of Commerce.Tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley have praised the initiatives of the Lieutenant Governor's administration. They believe that reopening these destinations will boost visitor confidence, attracting more people to explore the Valley's scenic beauty and cultural heritage.''I am very happy. It's a great decision that I will get to see all those places which were closed earlier. It's a good step. It's been very safe, Security is taken care of and it's great to visit Kashmir and I would recommend it to my friends, it's the most beautiful place I have ever been to, '' Anoop Kaur, Tourist.Tourists note that as social media users share posts about these newly reopened destinations, awareness will grow, drawing increasing numbers of visitors to explore the Valley's attractions.''We came yesterday to the Valley, It's a great news that they have opened these places and we will get to see these places. People will also benefit from it. It will also help the locals associated with tourism. Social media users visiting these places will also send across a message of peace. Kashmir was the only place I had not visited but it felt like home. The Kashmiriyat is amazing, their hospitality is amazing. Food, people here are so good, '' said Nirali, a tourist.As the Autumn and Winter seasons approach, tourism stakeholders in the Kashmir Valley are optimistic, anticipating a fully booked season with record-breaking numbers of visitors drawn to the region's breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture. &nbsp;

With the vibrant autumn season approaching, they believe this move will significantly boost tourism, drawing visitors to the region's stunning landscapes. 

Six months after the Pahalgam terror attack, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced the reopening of 12 additional tourist destinations across the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. This builds on the earlier success of making 16 out of 48 identified tourist spots accessible to visitors. With today’s announcement, a total of 28 destinations is now open, revitalizing tourism in the region. The decision was taken after a hhigh-levelsecurity review and discussion in the Unified Headquarters meeting. Seven tourist spots in Kashmir Division including Aru Valley, Rafting Point Yanner, Akkad Park, Padshahi Park, Kaman Post and five in Jammu Division including Dagan Top, Ramban, Dhaggar in Kathua, Shiv Cave in Salal, Reasi have been reopened from today. Tourism stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed immense relief and optimism following the government's decision to reopen additional tourist destinations. With the vibrant autumn season approaching, they believe this move will significantly boost tourism, drawing visitors to the region's stunning landscapes. They have also urged the authorities to expedite the reopening of all remaining tourism sites before the onset of the winter tourism season to maximize economic opportunities and showcase the region's year-round appeal. ''I highly appreciate the decision of Hon'ble LG to reopen the 12 tourist places. People were thinking due to the closure of these places whether it is still safe to go to these places. This is a very wise decision and that too in the Puja holiday season followed by winter tourism. I would request the LG that few destinations are still closed, and those places should be thrown open as well. It's a great confidence building measure to make tourists feel safer. We have faced a lot of loss this year, the market is zero and tourism is at its lowest '' said Tariq Ghani, President, Chamber of Commerce. Tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley have praised the initiatives of the Lieutenant Governor's administration. They believe that reopening these destinations will boost visitor confidence, attracting more people to explore the Valley's scenic beauty and cultural heritage. ''I am very happy. It's a great decision that I will get to see all those places which were closed earlier. It's a good step. It's been very safe, Security is taken care of and it's great to visit Kashmir and I would recommend it to my friends, it's the most beautiful place I have ever been to, '' Anoop Kaur, Tourist. Tourists note that as social media users share posts about these newly reopened destinations, awareness will grow, drawing increasing numbers of visitors to explore the Valley's attractions. ''We came yesterday to the Valley, It's a great news that they have opened these places and we will get to see these places. People will also benefit from it. It will also help the locals associated with tourism. Social media users visiting these places will also send across a message of peace. Kashmir was the only place I had not visited but it felt like home. The Kashmiriyat is amazing, their hospitality is amazing. Food, people here are so good, '' said Nirali, a tourist. As the Autumn and Winter seasons approach, tourism stakeholders in the Kashmir Valley are optimistic, anticipating a fully booked season with record-breaking numbers of visitors drawn to the region's breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture.

&nbsp;With the vibrant autumn season approaching, they believe this move will significantly boost tourism, drawing visitors to the region's stunning landscapes.&nbsp;

Tourists, stake holders welcome reopening of 12 tourism spots in Jammu and Kashmir

Business & Economy: The timing of the attack couldn't be more economically devastating as it threatens to undo years of work building Brand Kashmir.

What began as a hopeful tourist season in Kashmir has taken a tragic and abrupt turn. On April 22, terrorists launched a deadly attack in the serene hill town of Pahalgam, killing 28 people—many of them tourists. In minutes, the meadow of pines and snow-draped peaks was transformed into a tableau of fear. Tourists, once crowding the bustling streets and valleys, were seen fleeing with their luggage, triggering the worst setback to Kashmir’s tourism economy in recent memory. Kashmir Tourism: Backbone for UT’s economy The attack comes at a time when Kashmir was riding a historic tourism wave. In 2024, Jammu and Kashmir saw its highest-ever footfall, with over 34.98 lakh tourists visiting the region. Of these, 5.17 lakh were pilgrims who completed the Amarnath Yatra, while international tourism recorded a massive revival—from just 1,614 visitors in 2021 to 43,654 in 2024. This growth is not only symbolic but vital: tourism contributes 8.47 per cent to the Union Territory’s GDP, according to the latest Economic Survey Report 2024–25 tabled by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Assembly. Here’s a snapshot of Kashmir’s tourism growth over the last four years: Year Total Tourists Foreign Tourists 2021 6,65,777 1,614 2022 26,73,442 19,947 2023 31,55,835 37,678 2024 34,98,702 43,654 Source: Economic Survey Report 2024-25 The timing of the attack couldn't be more economically devastating. The summer season, which begins in late March and stretches until October, accounts for the lion’s share of Kashmir’s annual tourism income. Just before the attack, over 8.14 lakh visitors had thronged to Srinagar’s Tulip Garden—the largest in Asia—in the first 26 days of its opening on March 26. The garden had also attracted more than 3,000 international tourists, signaling that Kashmir was regaining its charm on the global map. Centre efforts to bring normalcy back in valley & building Kashmir brand The branding effort had not come easy. Since the revocation of Article 370, the Centre had gone all-in to reposition Kashmir as a secure, investor-ready alpine destination. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government had introduced a series of economic and promotional reforms tailored to transform the region’s conflict-ridden past into a tourism-driven future. This included the introduction of a new tourism policy with 75 heritage and spiritual sites, the rapid expansion of air and rail connectivity, and a ₹1,000 crore infrastructure boost. The Centre also actively wooed Bollywood and international filmmakers with a revamped film policy, hosted international marathons, and even held India’s first F4 car show in Srinagar. A major milestone was achieved in May 2023, when Srinagar hosted the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting. Over 60 international delegates participated, bringing global attention and perceived stability to the Valley. Events like the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg and high-level investor summits were part of a larger strategic blueprint to privatize and modernize tourism, and position Kashmir as a new growth frontier. Now, all that momentum hangs in the balance. The Pahalgam attack has not only struck at the heart of the tourism economy but threatens to undo years of work building Brand Kashmir. Tour operators are reporting mass cancellations, hotels are emptying out, and transport services are facing sharp declines in demand. The cascading effect is already being felt by shikara operators, handicraft vendors, taxi drivers, and hoteliers—many of whom had taken loans post-COVID to scale up their services in anticipation of the peak season. For them, the blow is not just emotional—it’s financially crippling. The concern now is that the attack will once again reframe Kashmir in international headlines as a conflict zone, undermining the carefully cultivated perception of normalcy. International tourism, destination weddings, and foreign investments may all take a backseat as the global travel community re-evaluates safety concerns. For a region that had just begun to move beyond its troubled past, this attack is not only a humanitarian tragedy but a branding crisis of immense proportions. What happens next will be a test of both governance and narrative control. The government may need to deploy a combination of emergency economic relief and aggressive reputation management—ranging from financial support for local businesses to international PR efforts that reposition the region as safe for visitors and investors alike. Kashmir had almost succeeded in rebranding itself as India’s high-altitude economic miracle. But in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, it risks slipping back into silence, shadows, and scepticism—unless the political and economic response is swift, strategic, and visible.

Pahalgham terror attack leaves Kashmir brand into Ghost Town

Jammu and Kashmir has been hit by a cold wave at the start of the winter season. The temperatures across the Kashmir division have dropped drastically in the last 24 hours. Not only the higher reaches, but Srinagar also recorded the minimum temperature&nbsp;in minus degrees.

The cold wave has tightened the grip across the Kashmir Valley, with temperatures falling below the freezing point across various districts. Srinagar recorded the minimum temperature at minus 0.4ºC, while tourist destinations like Pahalgam were at minus 3.2 and Gulmarg at zero degrees. The coldest place in the Kashmir division was in South Kashmir's Shopian district, where the temperature was recorded at minus 3.9 degrees.

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"Winter has already begun with regard to the temperature. Subzero temperatures have been recorded in the hill stations for the last few days. In the plains also, the temperature has come down to minus degrees. In the coming days, till 22nd the temperatures will go further down to minus 1.5 in the plains. And 25th onwards, the temperature in Srinagar will go down to minus 3, while in the higher reaches the temperature will go down to minus 5. The winter has already started, and there will be a brief spell of rain and snow from 23-24th of November,"&nbsp;said Mukhtar Ahmad, Director Met, Kashmir.

The lowest temperature in north India has been recorded in the Ladakh region. The temperature in Ladakh fell&nbsp;abruptly, and the lowest temperature recorded in the region was at Nyoma at minus 13.1 degrees. In Leh town, the temperature was recorded at minus 6.6 while in Kargil town it was recorded at -5.9°C. Drass recorded the temperature at -8.9 degrees.

The MeT Department has predicted a wet spell from November 22-23 and said that the temperatures will drop further after November 25th. Weather experts have already warned of severe weather across the region.

Jammu and Kashmir has been hit by a cold wave at the start of the winter season. The temperatures across the Kashmir division have dropped drastically in the last 24 hours.

Jammu and Kashmir has been hit by a cold wave at the start of the winter season. The temperatures across the Kashmir division have dropped drastically in the last 24 hours. Not only the higher reaches, but Srinagar also recorded the minimum temperature in minus degrees. The cold wave has tightened the grip across the Kashmir Valley, with temperatures falling below the freezing point across various districts. Srinagar recorded the minimum temperature at minus 0.4ºC, while tourist destinations like Pahalgam were at minus 3.2 and Gulmarg at zero degrees. The coldest place in the Kashmir division was in South Kashmir's Shopian district, where the temperature was recorded at minus 3.9 degrees. Also read: Gautam Adani charged in $250 million bribery scheme by US prosecutors "Winter has already begun with regard to the temperature. Subzero temperatures have been recorded in the hill stations for the last few days. In the plains also, the temperature has come down to minus degrees. In the coming days, till 22nd the temperatures will go further down to minus 1.5 in the plains. And 25th onwards, the temperature in Srinagar will go down to minus 3, while in the higher reaches the temperature will go down to minus 5. The winter has already started, and there will be a brief spell of rain and snow from 23-24th of November," said Mukhtar Ahmad, Director Met, Kashmir. The lowest temperature in north India has been recorded in the Ladakh region. The temperature in Ladakh fell abruptly, and the lowest temperature recorded in the region was at Nyoma at minus 13.1 degrees. In Leh town, the temperature was recorded at minus 6.6 while in Kargil town it was recorded at -5.9°C. Drass recorded the temperature at -8.9 degrees. The MeT Department has predicted a wet spell from November 22-23 and said that the temperatures will drop further after November 25th. Weather experts have already warned of severe weather across the region.

Kashmir region hit by cold wave, temperatures recorded in minus degrees

Autumn is here, and the whole Kashmir Valley is splashed in red colour. It's a magical change that thousands of tourists from across India and the world come to witness. The Chinar trees in Kashmir look as if they have been immersed in various layers of colours&nbsp;and thousands of tourists are arriving in the valley to witness these scenic visuals,.

The world-famous Mughal Gardens of Kashmir are spread with a red carpet of these Chinar trees with the background of Zabarwan Hills. The Nishat Garden, Shalimar Bagh, Naseem Bagh, and Chinar Bagh are seeing a huge rush of tourists enjoying these beautiful visuals and taking photos in these breathtakingly beautiful locations. Many of these tourists have planned their trips only to witness the fall season.

''It's absolutely wonderful, so I am here with my family and came to Kashmir for the very first time and I think we just got the best of two seasons, We saw snow in Gulmarg and Sonamarg. And in Srinagar we see a lot of maple leaves, it's so special and peaceful. I love walking around and taking it all in. Honestly, I don't think cameras capture the true essence of a place, no matter how much we have seen in movies, experiencing it, walking on these autumn leaves is something else entirely. Kashmir has to be on everyone's bucket list,'' said Priyanka, a tourist.

Some of the tourists have just read about autumn and never seen it. As the rest of India does not have 4 seasons like the Kashmir Valley, these tourists have been planning months before to visit Srinagar during the fall.

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''I just love it. I specially came for 'Harud', that is the fall season. I manifested this at the beginning of the year. I saw in photos and videos how colours change during this time and falling leaves. I am quite fascinated by Bollywood and that's why I love it. In reality the experience is quite beautiful. I will be making a lot of videos and sharing them on social media,'' said Shivangi, a tourist.

The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism department has been promoting Autumn, locally called Harud, to tourists from across various states of India. A huge number of influencers have been making reels and videos in the fall season and posting them on social media.

''Seeing the best gardens in Srinagar and I think Nishat garden is the best with trees with different colours and autumn season. People love the scenic beauty where you can see the complete picture and how serene it is. It's very peaceful and feels like you are meditating in the ocean, that's how peaceful it is. I never thought it would be so beautiful in real life, it's just amazing here. I still want to be here, and my family loves it too,'' said Kishore Kartik, a&nbsp;tourist.

The Autumn season gets over with the first snowfall in Srinagar City. The higher reaches have already received snowfall while the Met Department has predicted snow in plains during the month of November.

Autumn is here, and the whole Kashmir Valley is splashed in red colour. It's a magical change that thousands of tourists from across India and the world come to witness.

Autumn is here, and the whole Kashmir Valley is splashed in red colour. It's a magical change that thousands of tourists from across India and the world come to witness. The Chinar trees in Kashmir look as if they have been immersed in various layers of colours and thousands of tourists are arriving in the valley to witness these scenic visuals,. The world-famous Mughal Gardens of Kashmir are spread with a red carpet of these Chinar trees with the background of Zabarwan Hills. The Nishat Garden, Shalimar Bagh, Naseem Bagh, and Chinar Bagh are seeing a huge rush of tourists enjoying these beautiful visuals and taking photos in these breathtakingly beautiful locations. Many of these tourists have planned their trips only to witness the fall season. ''It's absolutely wonderful, so I am here with my family and came to Kashmir for the very first time and I think we just got the best of two seasons, We saw snow in Gulmarg and Sonamarg. And in Srinagar we see a lot of maple leaves, it's so special and peaceful. I love walking around and taking it all in. Honestly, I don't think cameras capture the true essence of a place, no matter how much we have seen in movies, experiencing it, walking on these autumn leaves is something else entirely. Kashmir has to be on everyone's bucket list,'' said Priyanka, a tourist. Some of the tourists have just read about autumn and never seen it. As the rest of India does not have 4 seasons like the Kashmir Valley, these tourists have been planning months before to visit Srinagar during the fall. Also read: IMD issues fog alert for North India, flight operations likely affected in Delhi ''I just love it. I specially came for 'Harud', that is the fall season. I manifested this at the beginning of the year. I saw in photos and videos how colours change during this time and falling leaves. I am quite fascinated by Bollywood and that's why I love it. In reality the experience is quite beautiful. I will be making a lot of videos and sharing them on social media,'' said Shivangi, a tourist. The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism department has been promoting Autumn, locally called Harud, to tourists from across various states of India. A huge number of influencers have been making reels and videos in the fall season and posting them on social media. ''Seeing the best gardens in Srinagar and I think Nishat garden is the best with trees with different colours and autumn season. People love the scenic beauty where you can see the complete picture and how serene it is. It's very peaceful and feels like you are meditating in the ocean, that's how peaceful it is. I never thought it would be so beautiful in real life, it's just amazing here. I still want to be here, and my family loves it too,'' said Kishore Kartik, a tourist. The Autumn season gets over with the first snowfall in Srinagar City. The higher reaches have already received snowfall while the Met Department has predicted snow in plains during the month of November.

As Chinar trees turn red in autumn, thousands of tourist arrive to witness the fall in Kashmir

With the recent spike in&nbsp;terror incidents in the Kashmir Valley and the winter tourism season about to begin, the tourist stakeholders in the region are worried that these attacks will have a direct impact on one of the biggest industries of the Valley. This&nbsp;has led to all stakeholders to come&nbsp;together for the first time and condemn these terrorist attacks.

Kashmir Valley has witnessed a rise in terror-related incidents in the last few weeks and, to counter it, security forces have intensified the anti-terrorist operations across the Kashmir division. In the last 10 days, nine encounters have taken place in Kashmir. Eight terrorists, including five foreign terrorists, have been killed by security forces. There have been two encounters in Srinagar city while a grenade attack in one of the busiest Sunday markets led to the&nbsp;death of a civilian woman and injured eleven others. There were two attacks close to tourist destinations: Gulmarg and Sonamarg.

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Following these attacks, the tourist stakeholders of the Kashmir Valley have come together and condemned these attacks. The hoteliers, houseboat association, Shikara association, travel agents' association and even the taxi associations have come together, condemning the recent attacks across various districts of the Kashmir Valley. The&nbsp;stakeholders have said that this disruption of peace is unacceptable to Kashmiris.

''We all have gathered here including Minister Satish Sharma and we have all condemned the attacks including the one that took place near to TRC. In which our children got injured and are being treated in the hospital and before this also many attacks, in which soldiers, policemen or civilians have died is not acceptable to Kashmiris. We have seen terrible times and have been fighting for peace for the last 30 years and everything was going normal from the last few years, now our request is please don't do it. This is unacceptable to Kashmiris, and we want peace only, '' said Mushtaq Chaya, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club.

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Some of the tourism stakeholders have said that there has been some impact of these attacks on Kashmir Tourism as cancellations have happened in the last few weeks, but they also say that these attacks have not impacted the tourism industry yet. The tourist stakeholders want to send a message to tourists across the country and the world that Kashmir is safe, and they can come to visit anytime.

''All tourist stakeholders got together today to give out a message that Kashmir is very peaceful, and we welcome tourists. Kashmir is safer than any other place in the world. Nobody will bear this inhuman behaviour, and human lives are the most precious lives. Government should probe these incidents. We had some cancellations, but tourism is going well. Though there was some effect as tourists don't want to go to places which are insecure although Kashmir is the safest place on earth, '' said Tariq Ghani Bedaba, President, Chamber of Commerce.

Kashmir Valley has seen tremendous growth in tourist arrivals in the last few years. All the previous records of tourist arrivals have been broken and this winter also the stakeholders are expecting huge arrivals. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

With the recent spike in terror incidents in the Kashmir Valley and the winter tourism season about to begin, the tourist stakeholders in the region are worried that these attacks will have a direct impact on one of the biggest industries of the Valley.

With the recent spike in terror incidents in the Kashmir Valley and the winter tourism season about to begin, the tourist stakeholders in the region are worried that these attacks will have a direct impact on one of the biggest industries of the Valley. This has led to all stakeholders to come together for the first time and condemn these terrorist attacks. Kashmir Valley has witnessed a rise in terror-related incidents in the last few weeks and, to counter it, security forces have intensified the anti-terrorist operations across the Kashmir division. In the last 10 days, nine encounters have taken place in Kashmir. Eight terrorists, including five foreign terrorists, have been killed by security forces. There have been two encounters in Srinagar city while a grenade attack in one of the busiest Sunday markets led to the death of a civilian woman and injured eleven others. There were two attacks close to tourist destinations: Gulmarg and Sonamarg. Also read | 11 Kuki militants killed in clashes with CRPF in Manipur, one jawan injured Following these attacks, the tourist stakeholders of the Kashmir Valley have come together and condemned these attacks. The hoteliers, houseboat association, Shikara association, travel agents' association and even the taxi associations have come together, condemning the recent attacks across various districts of the Kashmir Valley. The stakeholders have said that this disruption of peace is unacceptable to Kashmiris. ''We all have gathered here including Minister Satish Sharma and we have all condemned the attacks including the one that took place near to TRC. In which our children got injured and are being treated in the hospital and before this also many attacks, in which soldiers, policemen or civilians have died is not acceptable to Kashmiris. We have seen terrible times and have been fighting for peace for the last 30 years and everything was going normal from the last few years, now our request is please don't do it. This is unacceptable to Kashmiris, and we want peace only, '' said Mushtaq Chaya, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club. Also read | RG Kar rape-murder accused Sanjay Roy claims he was 'framed' by ex-Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal Some of the tourism stakeholders have said that there has been some impact of these attacks on Kashmir Tourism as cancellations have happened in the last few weeks, but they also say that these attacks have not impacted the tourism industry yet. The tourist stakeholders want to send a message to tourists across the country and the world that Kashmir is safe, and they can come to visit anytime. ''All tourist stakeholders got together today to give out a message that Kashmir is very peaceful, and we welcome tourists. Kashmir is safer than any other place in the world. Nobody will bear this inhuman behaviour, and human lives are the most precious lives. Government should probe these incidents. We had some cancellations, but tourism is going well. Though there was some effect as tourists don't want to go to places which are insecure although Kashmir is the safest place on earth, '' said Tariq Ghani Bedaba, President, Chamber of Commerce. Kashmir Valley has seen tremendous growth in tourist arrivals in the last few years. All the previous records of tourist arrivals have been broken and this winter also the stakeholders are expecting huge arrivals.

Kashmir tourism stakeholders unite to condemn terror attacks as winter season approaches

As Kashmir Valley finally got some respite from the heat wave in the last few days, the tourist inflow has peaked as well. Majority of hotels and houseboats are completely booked as more&nbsp;tourists are coming to the valley.

The tourist&nbsp;inflow has surged to the point where houseboats on Kashmir's Dal Lake must be booked months in advance. Staying in these iconic houseboats is a must for any visitor to Kashmir.

Currently, the majority of houseboats are fully booked due to the recent increase in tourist numbers.

''We had pre-booked our stay in the houseboat a few weeks ago. We did not want any hassle and that's why we had pre-booked everything. We are also finding Shikara's as we have houseboat bookings. There is no tension regarding that. It's the peak time so we booked early, and everyone should pre book so that they don't face any problems or Issues'' said Prarik Aggarwal, a tourist.

While India is reeling under heat wave, Kashmir Valley has seen a respite in the last few days and that has brought a lot of cheer among the tourists. And the summer influx of tourists to the valley has increased as most of the hotels, houseboats, huts at every tourist place in Kashmir are booked.

Kashmir Valley saw over a million tourists in the first four months of 2024. The winter tourism broke all the previous records. &nbsp;According to the data of Srinagar International Airport, on an average more than 18,000 passengers visit the airport and majority of them are tourists. As against an average of 70 flights in February, currently 94 flights are operating at the airport.

''We are finding Shikara's without any issues. There is a waiting, but we are getting to go for a ride. Kashmir is a place which everyone should explore. There is a difference of 15 degrees between Gujrat and Kashmir. We are loving it here. We have also pre booked the houseboat and we are not having any difficulty finding shikaras,'' said Vandana, a tourist.

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir and tourism stakeholders are hopeful that all the previous records of tourist arrivals will be broken this year.

As Kashmir Valley finally got some respite from the heat wave in the last few days, the tourist inflow has peaked as well. Majority of hotels and houseboats are completely booked as more tourists are coming to the valley.

As Kashmir Valley finally got some respite from the heat wave in the last few days, the tourist inflow has peaked as well. Majority of hotels and houseboats are completely booked as more tourists are coming to the valley. The tourist inflow has surged to the point where houseboats on Kashmir's Dal Lake must be booked months in advance. Staying in these iconic houseboats is a must for any visitor to Kashmir. Currently, the majority of houseboats are fully booked due to the recent increase in tourist numbers. ''We had pre-booked our stay in the houseboat a few weeks ago. We did not want any hassle and that's why we had pre-booked everything. We are also finding Shikara's as we have houseboat bookings. There is no tension regarding that. It's the peak time so we booked early, and everyone should pre book so that they don't face any problems or Issues'' said Prarik Aggarwal, a tourist. While India is reeling under heat wave, Kashmir Valley has seen a respite in the last few days and that has brought a lot of cheer among the tourists. And the summer influx of tourists to the valley has increased as most of the hotels, houseboats, huts at every tourist place in Kashmir are booked. Kashmir Valley saw over a million tourists in the first four months of 2024. The winter tourism broke all the previous records. According to the data of Srinagar International Airport, on an average more than 18,000 passengers visit the airport and majority of them are tourists. As against an average of 70 flights in February, currently 94 flights are operating at the airport. ''We are finding Shikara's without any issues. There is a waiting, but we are getting to go for a ride. Kashmir is a place which everyone should explore. There is a difference of 15 degrees between Gujrat and Kashmir. We are loving it here. We have also pre booked the houseboat and we are not having any difficulty finding shikaras,'' said Vandana, a tourist. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir and tourism stakeholders are hopeful that all the previous records of tourist arrivals will be broken this year.

Kashmir tourism soars as valley escapes heat wave; houseboats and shikaras fully booked

With the onset of the winter season, India's Kashmir Valley is witnessing a huge increase in tourist arrival. And this time, it's not only the ski resort in Gulmarg which is fully packed but also other destinations like the Pahalgam and Dal lake where almost all the hotels and houseboats are booked for the entire season.&nbsp;

The ski resort Gulmarg is called the winter wonderland of India and with snow-clad mountains, thousands of tourists are thronging the resort. All the hotels and guest houses are completely booked. On new year's, a lot of tourists and locals had to return from Gulmarg as there was no space available in any hotels or cottages. However, it's not only Gulmarg but tourist resorts like Pahalgam and the world-famous Dal Lake in Srinagar where thousands of tourists are also staying.&nbsp;

"We have great expectations from the winter season. Gulmarg is packed but traditionally Gulmarg has always been a winter destination. And now we are seeing tourists heading to other destinations like Pahalgam, Doodhpathri, Yousmarg and Sonamarg. We have winter activities there as well. We are promoting winter tourism because we have people who want to experience snow. It is not only Gulmarg but many such destinations that the government has added to the list. We have winter treks in Naranag, Marjoi, for people interested in adventure travel. Lots more to explore and see in Kashmir. We are getting a lot of queries for other destinations. We have a very aggressive publicity plan, and we are showcasing Kashmir globally as well," said Deeba Khalid, who is the deputy director of tourism.&nbsp;

The houseboats on Dal Lake during the freezing temperatures used to be empty but for the first time this year, the houseboats are fully booked as well. The temperatures have touched below minus six degrees and parts of the lake have frozen, and to witness these breathtaking visuals, tourists are staying in the houseboats on Dal Lake.&nbsp;

"It's the most beautiful place, the winter is something else, the frost, the frozen Dal lake. I don't think that experience can be replaced. It's absolutely stunning. From minus 2 to we are going to minus 17 to Sonamarg. We are excited it's my first time seeing snow and I wanted it to happen in India. Everyone should come here for tourism. Kashmir has won my heart. I have seen a lot of tourists. They opened tourism in January and it's nice to know," said Monita, a tourist.&nbsp;

Kashmir has been facing harsh winter conditions and to witness extreme cold, tourists are enjoying the frozen Dal Lake.&nbsp;

"Kashmir is called heaven on earth and it's a paradise and I agree with the saying. You can never have enough of this place. I had a fascination for snowfall, and I wanted winter to come in winter. In Gulmarg and Pahalgam, it looked like a picture to me. They have done a great job while hosting tourists in the winter during freezing temperatures," said Upasna Das Gupta, another tourist.&nbsp;

The tourist stakeholders in the valley are hoping that the way all records of tourism arrival were broken in the summer, the winter will see a huge rush as well.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE&nbsp;

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

With the onset of the winter season, India's Kashmir Valley is witnessing a huge increase in tourist arrival. And this time, it's not only the ski resort in Gulmarg which is fully packed but also other destinations like the Pahalgam and Dal lake where almost all the hotels and houseboats are booked for the entire season.

With the onset of the winter season, India's Kashmir Valley is witnessing a huge increase in tourist arrival. And this time, it's not only the ski resort in Gulmarg which is fully packed but also other destinations like the Pahalgam and Dal lake where almost all the hotels and houseboats are booked for the entire season. The ski resort Gulmarg is called the winter wonderland of India and with snow-clad mountains, thousands of tourists are thronging the resort. All the hotels and guest houses are completely booked. On new year's, a lot of tourists and locals had to return from Gulmarg as there was no space available in any hotels or cottages. However, it's not only Gulmarg but tourist resorts like Pahalgam and the world-famous Dal Lake in Srinagar where thousands of tourists are also staying. "We have great expectations from the winter season. Gulmarg is packed but traditionally Gulmarg has always been a winter destination. And now we are seeing tourists heading to other destinations like Pahalgam, Doodhpathri, Yousmarg and Sonamarg. We have winter activities there as well. We are promoting winter tourism because we have people who want to experience snow. It is not only Gulmarg but many such destinations that the government has added to the list. We have winter treks in Naranag, Marjoi, for people interested in adventure travel. Lots more to explore and see in Kashmir. We are getting a lot of queries for other destinations. We have a very aggressive publicity plan, and we are showcasing Kashmir globally as well," said Deeba Khalid, who is the deputy director of tourism. The houseboats on Dal Lake during the freezing temperatures used to be empty but for the first time this year, the houseboats are fully booked as well. The temperatures have touched below minus six degrees and parts of the lake have frozen, and to witness these breathtaking visuals, tourists are staying in the houseboats on Dal Lake. "It's the most beautiful place, the winter is something else, the frost, the frozen Dal lake. I don't think that experience can be replaced. It's absolutely stunning. From minus 2 to we are going to minus 17 to Sonamarg. We are excited it's my first time seeing snow and I wanted it to happen in India. Everyone should come here for tourism. Kashmir has won my heart. I have seen a lot of tourists. They opened tourism in January and it's nice to know," said Monita, a tourist. Kashmir has been facing harsh winter conditions and to witness extreme cold, tourists are enjoying the frozen Dal Lake. "Kashmir is called heaven on earth and it's a paradise and I agree with the saying. You can never have enough of this place. I had a fascination for snowfall, and I wanted winter to come in winter. In Gulmarg and Pahalgam, it looked like a picture to me. They have done a great job while hosting tourists in the winter during freezing temperatures," said Upasna Das Gupta, another tourist. The tourist stakeholders in the valley are hoping that the way all records of tourism arrival were broken in the summer, the winter will see a huge rush as well. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Kashmir tourism peaks in winter, stakeholders expect record-breaking tourist arrivals

The Kashmir Valley has been splashed with&nbsp;the colour red in the autumn season. It's a magical change that thousands of tourists from across India and the world come to witness. The chinar (maple) trees in Kashmir look as if they have been decorated&nbsp;with layers of colours. The visuals that tourists have seen only in Bollywood films.&nbsp;

The world-famous Mughal gardens of Kashmir have a red carpet spread of these chinar trees with the background of Zabarwan Hills. The Nishat garden, Shalimar Bagh, Naseem Bagh, and Chinar Bagh are seeing a huge&nbsp;rush of tourists enjoying these beautiful visuals and taking photos in these breathtakingly beautiful locations.&nbsp;

''I am loving it. I came specially for this, and I have seen this in 'Mohabbatein' movie. We wanted to experience it and we love it. Kashmir is so beautiful. It's amazing, especially the weather and I will say that everyone should come here. We always saw it in movies but finally&nbsp;got to see it in real life. We are taking pictures and videos and sharing it on social media so that more people should come here,'' said Pooja, a tourist from&nbsp;Chandigarh.

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Some of the tourists had&nbsp;just read about&nbsp;autumn&nbsp;and never seen it. As the rest of India does not have four&nbsp;seasons like the Kashmir Valley.

''It's definitely beautiful and we had read in our schools about these Mughal gardens, a picture was formed in our heads of how it will be. I have visited the Pinjore&nbsp;Gardens in Chandigarh&nbsp;which is inspired by this, but it's nowhere comparable to this, this is so much beautiful. The calm and crisp air, and autumn is very beautiful,'' said Surbhi, a tourist from&nbsp;Delhi.&nbsp;

The government has also announced special festivals for the tourists coming to the Valley during the&nbsp;autumn&nbsp;season.&nbsp;

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''This is just a superb experience. We have just seen these visuals in movies and to see this in reality is just awesome. I have been taking pictures and videos and I even went live to social media to show my friends how beautiful it is. People should come to Kashmir and witness the beauty of nature. It's just a beautiful place,'' said Mona, another&nbsp;tourist.&nbsp;

Autumn is one of the most favourite seasons for Bollywood filmmakers to shoot their movies in the valley, and that’s why there are over a dozen film crews shooting various projects in the valley these days.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The Kashmir Valley has been splashed with the colour red in the autumn season. It's a magical change that thousands of tourists from across India and the world come to witness.

The Kashmir Valley has been splashed with the colour red in the autumn season. It's a magical change that thousands of tourists from across India and the world come to witness. The chinar (maple) trees in Kashmir look as if they have been decorated with layers of colours. The visuals that tourists have seen only in Bollywood films. The world-famous Mughal gardens of Kashmir have a red carpet spread of these chinar trees with the background of Zabarwan Hills. The Nishat garden, Shalimar Bagh, Naseem Bagh, and Chinar Bagh are seeing a huge rush of tourists enjoying these beautiful visuals and taking photos in these breathtakingly beautiful locations. ''I am loving it. I came specially for this, and I have seen this in 'Mohabbatein' movie. We wanted to experience it and we love it. Kashmir is so beautiful. It's amazing, especially the weather and I will say that everyone should come here. We always saw it in movies but finally got to see it in real life. We are taking pictures and videos and sharing it on social media so that more people should come here,'' said Pooja, a tourist from Chandigarh. Also read | Imran Khan Attacked LIVE: Ex-Pak PM injured Some of the tourists had just read about autumn and never seen it. As the rest of India does not have four seasons like the Kashmir Valley. ''It's definitely beautiful and we had read in our schools about these Mughal gardens, a picture was formed in our heads of how it will be. I have visited the Pinjore Gardens in Chandigarh which is inspired by this, but it's nowhere comparable to this, this is so much beautiful. The calm and crisp air, and autumn is very beautiful,'' said Surbhi, a tourist from Delhi. The government has also announced special festivals for the tourists coming to the Valley during the autumn season. Also read | With over 90% votes counted, Netanyahu on course to become Israel PM ''This is just a superb experience. We have just seen these visuals in movies and to see this in reality is just awesome. I have been taking pictures and videos and I even went live to social media to show my friends how beautiful it is. People should come to Kashmir and witness the beauty of nature. It's just a beautiful place,'' said Mona, another tourist. Autumn is one of the most favourite seasons for Bollywood filmmakers to shoot their movies in the valley, and that’s why there are over a dozen film crews shooting various projects in the valley these days.

India: Tourists arriving in thousands to witness the fall in Kashmir valley

Kashmir Valley has witnessed record-breaking tourist arrivals this year. Government reports say more than 2 million tourists visited the valley in the eight months of 2022. It's after decades that Kashmir is once again attracting millions of tourists and tourism stakeholders are calling it the luckiest year ever.

Over 2 million tourists including Amarnath Yatri's visited the valley in the last 8 months. All the hotels at Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg were fully booked for months. The figures with the government are at an all-time high for tourist's arrivals in the Valley.

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''Around 20 lakh tourists have come to Kashmir this year. It's wonderful that it happened. It's a collective effort and I hope it will continue for the coming days as well. 2022 has been a bumper year with regard to tourism. We are hoping the ski lift in Sonamarg will be completed within days and this time Sonamarg will be opened for skiing. We will be keeping it open this winter and promote it as a winter destination. Pahalgam would be preparing for winter as well. We are also planning for Doodhpathri as a winter destination as well. We are hoping the coming winter will see a lot of footfalls,'' said Fazl ul Haseeb, Director of Tourism, Kashmir.

The high arrivals of tourists to the valley have revived the tourism industry of Kashmir which was badly hit due to various reasons in the last few years. With combined efforts of government and tourism stakeholders, the industry has finally witnessed some record-breaking arrivals which in turn helped the economy as well as the employment for the youth of Kashmir.

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''The number of tourist arrivals has been record-breaking. In my career of 12-13 years, I have witnessed such a tourist arrival for the first time. This is also the first time that I was receiving 200-300 calls from tourists from across the country every day. They wanted hotels, houseboats, taxi's and we were completely booked. Everything was booked and even this time people had to wait in a queue to get a shikara. We are expecting the number to go further up as the winter approaches. We are already planning for Christmas and New Year's. The agents think that it's been quite a lucky year and thanks to the administration for all the help,'' said Irshad Hazari, Director, Euphoria Travel Services.

The tourism industry is hoping that the numbers will go further up as the Fall season and winter is close. Government is introducing some new ski resorts in the valley as well. The hotel industry is working on creating more infrastructure and facilities for the huge tourist inflow.

Kashmir Valley has witnessed record-breaking tourist arrivals this year. Government reports say more than 2 million tourists visited the valley in the eight months of 2022.

Kashmir Valley has witnessed record-breaking tourist arrivals this year. Government reports say more than 2 million tourists visited the valley in the eight months of 2022. It's after decades that Kashmir is once again attracting millions of tourists and tourism stakeholders are calling it the luckiest year ever. Over 2 million tourists including Amarnath Yatri's visited the valley in the last 8 months. All the hotels at Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg were fully booked for months. The figures with the government are at an all-time high for tourist's arrivals in the Valley. Also read | Announcement regarding accession of occupied Ukraine regions likely on September 30, UK says ''Around 20 lakh tourists have come to Kashmir this year. It's wonderful that it happened. It's a collective effort and I hope it will continue for the coming days as well. 2022 has been a bumper year with regard to tourism. We are hoping the ski lift in Sonamarg will be completed within days and this time Sonamarg will be opened for skiing. We will be keeping it open this winter and promote it as a winter destination. Pahalgam would be preparing for winter as well. We are also planning for Doodhpathri as a winter destination as well. We are hoping the coming winter will see a lot of footfalls,'' said Fazl ul Haseeb, Director of Tourism, Kashmir. The high arrivals of tourists to the valley have revived the tourism industry of Kashmir which was badly hit due to various reasons in the last few years. With combined efforts of government and tourism stakeholders, the industry has finally witnessed some record-breaking arrivals which in turn helped the economy as well as the employment for the youth of Kashmir. Also read | Bank of England says it 'will not hesitate' to raise rates as pound struggles ''The number of tourist arrivals has been record-breaking. In my career of 12-13 years, I have witnessed such a tourist arrival for the first time. This is also the first time that I was receiving 200-300 calls from tourists from across the country every day. They wanted hotels, houseboats, taxi's and we were completely booked. Everything was booked and even this time people had to wait in a queue to get a shikara. We are expecting the number to go further up as the winter approaches. We are already planning for Christmas and New Year's. The agents think that it's been quite a lucky year and thanks to the administration for all the help,'' said Irshad Hazari, Director, Euphoria Travel Services. The tourism industry is hoping that the numbers will go further up as the Fall season and winter is close. Government is introducing some new ski resorts in the valley as well. The hotel industry is working on creating more infrastructure and facilities for the huge tourist inflow.

Kashmir crosses two million tourist arrivals mark, stakeholders call it the 'luckiest period'

Kashmir witnessed a sharp uptick in tourism with 600,000 travellers visiting the Indian union territory in the first four months of 2022. Catch an exclusive ground report on how tourism returned to the valley.

South Asia Diary: Kashmir logs record tourist season

With hotels and houseboats fully booked and tourists queuing up for shikara rides on the famous Dal Lake, Kashmir Valley is witnessing record-breaking tourist footfall in the past one decade.&nbsp;

According to the tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir, 600,00 tourists have visited the valley in the past four months—the highest in the last ten years.

And with Amarnath Yatra (pilgrimage) starting in June, the government expects the numbers to grow further.

''As you know&nbsp;the winter season, i.e., from January to March, has been good, and even the April figures have been better. More than 600,000 tourists have arrived in the first four months of this year, which is turning out to be a great tourism season and year for Kashmir. Given the fact that the pilgrimage is also happening, tourism in the valley will get a further push. This time, we will be welcoming tourists for yatra as well as other destinations. It's a good sign for the tourism industry. We suffered&nbsp;a lot due to the pandemic. As we see the figures, and keeping in mind the holidays across India, we expect a lot of tourist arrivals. We are also exploring new tourist destinations,'' said G N Itoo, Director, Tourism Department.&nbsp;

The tourism industry in the Kashmir Valley had incurred huge losses in the last three years. Following the revocation of Article 370 and the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the world, the tourism sector in the valley went out of business.&nbsp;

''It's true that around 500,000 to 600,000 tourists visited the valley in the last few months. This is the first time after decades that we are seeing so many tourist arrivals to the Kashmir Valley. We suffered a lot during the Covid pandemic. But after witnessing tremendous tourist footfall, we are hopeful that momentum will continue to grow further,'' said Manzoor Ahmad, travel operator.&nbsp;

One of the main factors Kashmir is seeing a plethora of tourists is the heatwave conditions that have been wreaking havoc in the northern parts of the country. With temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Celsius, people are thronging to the valley to get respite from unrelenting summers.

“This is my second visit to Kashmir. I came in 2014 for the first time and witnessed snowfall. Tulip Garden was so beautiful. I am sure millions of people have come here and it looks much more developed now. It's a great place and everyone should come. Those who don't are missing out on something beautiful,'' said Nimisha Kapadia, a tourist.

The preparations for the Amarnath Yatra are currently in progress with the government expecting around 500,000 to 600,00 people to take part in the pilgrimage this year.

With hotels and houseboats fully booked and tourists queuing up for shikara rides on the famous Dal Lake, Kashmir Valley is witnessing record-breaking tourist footfall in the past one decade.

With hotels and houseboats fully booked and tourists queuing up for shikara rides on the famous Dal Lake, Kashmir Valley is witnessing record-breaking tourist footfall in the past one decade. According to the tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir, 600,00 tourists have visited the valley in the past four months—the highest in the last ten years. And with Amarnath Yatra (pilgrimage) starting in June, the government expects the numbers to grow further. ''As you know the winter season, i.e., from January to March, has been good, and even the April figures have been better. More than 600,000 tourists have arrived in the first four months of this year, which is turning out to be a great tourism season and year for Kashmir. Given the fact that the pilgrimage is also happening, tourism in the valley will get a further push. This time, we will be welcoming tourists for yatra as well as other destinations. It's a good sign for the tourism industry. We suffered a lot due to the pandemic. As we see the figures, and keeping in mind the holidays across India, we expect a lot of tourist arrivals. We are also exploring new tourist destinations,'' said G N Itoo, Director, Tourism Department. The tourism industry in the Kashmir Valley had incurred huge losses in the last three years. Following the revocation of Article 370 and the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the world, the tourism sector in the valley went out of business. ''It's true that around 500,000 to 600,000 tourists visited the valley in the last few months. This is the first time after decades that we are seeing so many tourist arrivals to the Kashmir Valley. We suffered a lot during the Covid pandemic. But after witnessing tremendous tourist footfall, we are hopeful that momentum will continue to grow further,'' said Manzoor Ahmad, travel operator. One of the main factors Kashmir is seeing a plethora of tourists is the heatwave conditions that have been wreaking havoc in the northern parts of the country. With temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Celsius, people are thronging to the valley to get respite from unrelenting summers. “This is my second visit to Kashmir. I came in 2014 for the first time and witnessed snowfall. Tulip Garden was so beautiful. I am sure millions of people have come here and it looks much more developed now. It's a great place and everyone should come. Those who don't are missing out on something beautiful,'' said Nimisha Kapadia, a tourist. The preparations for the Amarnath Yatra are currently in progress with the government expecting around 500,000 to 600,00 people to take part in the pilgrimage this year.

Kashmir tourism breaks records, arrivals highest in 10 years

The flower bloom on Almond trees indicates the arrival of Spring in the Kashmir Valley. The famous Almond Garden, ''Badamwari' of Srinagar city has thousands of Almond trees, which are in full bloom and all set to welcome tourists as well as locals.&nbsp;

The tourism department of Kashmir plans to celebrate the full spring season across the various gardens of Srinagar city. The festival will start from Badamwari as almond flowers are the first to bloom. The garden located at the foothills of Kohi-Maraan mountain on 300 kanals of land has more than 1000 almond trees.&nbsp;

''We are having spring season and let me share the good news that we will be celebrating springtime as the full season this year.&nbsp; It would normally be confined to celebrating tulip festival only. But tulips come in the last week of March or the first week of April so this time we have decided to celebrate other flowers also which come early in the spring season. We start with badamwari, when the almond bloom is there, then we have wild tulips which bloom much earlier than the tulips we have in Srinagar. Similarly,&nbsp;we have some other flowers which come in March. We have decided we will be having a full-time season. We are expecting a good number of tourists this season as well. '' said Director Tourism, GN Itoo.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/to-help-the-local-talent-jammu-and-kashmir-police-organises-musical-competition-461715" hreflang="en">To help the local talent, Jammu and Kashmir police organises musical competition</a>

The locals, as well as the tourists, are already thronging these gardens. Social networking sites are filled with pictures of the flowers of Almond. And now the government expects that all previous records of tourist arrivals would be broken this spring. The tourists already in the valley are enjoying the view of the bloom.&nbsp;

''It's quite beautiful, when we think about Kashmir, we mostly&nbsp;think of snow, but this side of Kashmir is so mesmerizing and beautiful too. The spring is pretty, and people should experience&nbsp;this as well. This is our first time in this garden and it's so amazing. We googled to see what an almond bloom looks like before coming here. '' said Anupama, Tourist.&nbsp;

The government is planning to organise many events in the Gardens of Kashmir Valley to promote spring tourism as well as these gardens. The people who are visiting are mesmerised by the views of these blooms.&nbsp;

''We are finding it very beautiful,&nbsp;and we had no plans of coming to this almond garden, so someone in the flight suggested we come here. We found&nbsp;it so beautiful&nbsp;and it's worth coming to this garden. And coming to Kashmir is just fantastic&nbsp;and everything is proving worth it to come to Kashmir. I would ask people to visit as it's the real heaven. '' said Rashmi, a Tourist.&nbsp;

The spring season had seen very less tourist arrivals in the Kashmir Valley in the last two years due to the pandemic. The tourist stakeholders now hope that this year, they would be able to compensate for the losses.&nbsp;

The flower bloom on Almond trees indicates the arrival of Spring in the Kashmir Valley. The famous Almond Garden, ''Badamwari' of Srinagar city has thousands of Almond trees, which are in full bloom and all set to welcome tourists as well as locals.

The flower bloom on Almond trees indicates the arrival of Spring in the Kashmir Valley. The famous Almond Garden, ''Badamwari' of Srinagar city has thousands of Almond trees, which are in full bloom and all set to welcome tourists as well as locals. The tourism department of Kashmir plans to celebrate the full spring season across the various gardens of Srinagar city. The festival will start from Badamwari as almond flowers are the first to bloom. The garden located at the foothills of Kohi-Maraan mountain on 300 kanals of land has more than 1000 almond trees. ''We are having spring season and let me share the good news that we will be celebrating springtime as the full season this year. It would normally be confined to celebrating tulip festival only. But tulips come in the last week of March or the first week of April so this time we have decided to celebrate other flowers also which come early in the spring season. We start with badamwari, when the almond bloom is there, then we have wild tulips which bloom much earlier than the tulips we have in Srinagar. Similarly, we have some other flowers which come in March. We have decided we will be having a full-time season. We are expecting a good number of tourists this season as well. '' said Director Tourism, GN Itoo. Also read | To help the local talent, Jammu and Kashmir police organises musical competition The locals, as well as the tourists, are already thronging these gardens. Social networking sites are filled with pictures of the flowers of Almond. And now the government expects that all previous records of tourist arrivals would be broken this spring. The tourists already in the valley are enjoying the view of the bloom. ''It's quite beautiful, when we think about Kashmir, we mostly think of snow, but this side of Kashmir is so mesmerizing and beautiful too. The spring is pretty, and people should experience this as well. This is our first time in this garden and it's so amazing. We googled to see what an almond bloom looks like before coming here. '' said Anupama, Tourist. The government is planning to organise many events in the Gardens of Kashmir Valley to promote spring tourism as well as these gardens. The people who are visiting are mesmerised by the views of these blooms. ''We are finding it very beautiful, and we had no plans of coming to this almond garden, so someone in the flight suggested we come here. We found it so beautiful and it's worth coming to this garden. And coming to Kashmir is just fantastic and everything is proving worth it to come to Kashmir. I would ask people to visit as it's the real heaven. '' said Rashmi, a Tourist. The spring season had seen very less tourist arrivals in the Kashmir Valley in the last two years due to the pandemic. The tourist stakeholders now hope that this year, they would be able to compensate for the losses.

Almond flowers in full bloom in Kashmir

If you thought Kashmir Valley was boring during the nights, you are mistaken. Illuminated Shikaras would be ready to take you on a dreamy ride during night as well. Most of the Shikaras on the famous Dal Lake have been illuminated by the union territory's department of tourism. This step has been taken to boost tourism as well as the nightlife in the Kashmir Valley.&nbsp;

The nightlife in the Kashmir Valley has been missing for decades now. Everything in the Kashmir Valley shuts by 8pm and the tourists visiting the valley have nothing to do after that. And to push for the nightlife in Srinagar city, the tourism department has illuminated more than 80 Shikaras on the Dal Lake. The illumination would happen in phased manner and eventually more than 1000 Shikara's are to be lit by the department of tourism. All the lights installed on the Shikaras are solar power-based and eco-friendly.

<img alt="Kashmir" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7cb274a0-f730-4b26-b5fd-5f2f4d5c3842" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Image%20%285%29.jpeg" />

"Shikaras come to mind immediately when we talk about Kashmir. We organised a houseboat festival to celebrate the legacy. To add to the experience, we thought of illuminating and decorating our Shikaras particularly for people who visit tourist spots during daytime and come back in the evening. They hesitate to take Shikara rides when it's dark. But now they will be able to take these rides in the evenings. In the first phase, we have taken initiative to illuminate 80 Shikaras. We plan to illuminate all Shikaras," said GN Itoo, director of tourism department.

Taking a Shikara ride on the world-famous Dal Lake has always been a top priority for tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley. And The tourism department has been working on new ideas to attract more and more tourists. The department has recently started heritage tours, craft exhibitions, night skiing, and various other things for the tourists visiting the valley. The illuminated Shikara's are seen for the first time in the Kashmir Valley.&nbsp;

"We are committed to bring new and innovative changes to the tourism scene in Jammu and Kashmir. We are taking various steps, like illuminating the Shikara's. This will not only boost tourism but also give a different look. It's unlike anywhere in the country. A lot of people would love to take photos with these beautifully illuminated Shikaras which will indirectly have an impact on the trade as well as the nightlife. The tourists are enjoying these Shikara rides. It will add glory to the Dal Lake," said Zeeshan Khan, Assistant Director of Tourism.&nbsp;

<img alt="Kashmir" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e772a93f-ac4a-4fac-a291-05272e8838d6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Image%20%286%29.jpeg" />

These illuminated Shikaras are so mesmerising that even photographers and videographers are finding it unique. They say this will further boost tourism and people would be thrilled to see nightlife returning to Kashmir Valley.&nbsp;

"The moving Shikaras with their illuminated look are so beautiful and to capture it is something amazing. It will increase working hours of these Shikara owners, which means more business for them. The tourists can also enjoy the rides at night. The message it will send across it is that you have things to do in Kashmir even at night," said Mukhtar Ahmad, Photographer.&nbsp;

The Shikara and houseboat owners are extremely happy about the step taken by the tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir. They are happy at the prospect of their working hours increasing.

"It's a very good step by the government. We had asked them for illumination, and it will help the business. Since night flights have started in Kashmir, we are happy that night Shikaras have started as well. Tourists are enjoying it a lot. We are happy that the Jammu Kashmir tourism department has taken this step. We have 80 illuminated Shikaras and we will be illuminating more than 1000 in times ahead," said Wali Mohammad, president of Shikara Association.&nbsp;

The tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir is working on various new ideas where tourists would be getting best experience in the Valley. Adventure, heritage, and craft is the focus for the department to attract more and more tourists to the Valley.&nbsp;

If you thought Kashmir Valley was boring during the nights, you are mistaken. Illuminated Shikaras would be ready to take you on a dreamy ride during night as well.

If you thought Kashmir Valley was boring during the nights, you are mistaken. Illuminated Shikaras would be ready to take you on a dreamy ride during night as well. Most of the Shikaras on the famous Dal Lake have been illuminated by the union territory's department of tourism. This step has been taken to boost tourism as well as the nightlife in the Kashmir Valley. The nightlife in the Kashmir Valley has been missing for decades now. Everything in the Kashmir Valley shuts by 8pm and the tourists visiting the valley have nothing to do after that. And to push for the nightlife in Srinagar city, the tourism department has illuminated more than 80 Shikaras on the Dal Lake. The illumination would happen in phased manner and eventually more than 1000 Shikara's are to be lit by the department of tourism. All the lights installed on the Shikaras are solar power-based and eco-friendly. "Shikaras come to mind immediately when we talk about Kashmir. We organised a houseboat festival to celebrate the legacy. To add to the experience, we thought of illuminating and decorating our Shikaras particularly for people who visit tourist spots during daytime and come back in the evening. They hesitate to take Shikara rides when it's dark. But now they will be able to take these rides in the evenings. In the first phase, we have taken initiative to illuminate 80 Shikaras. We plan to illuminate all Shikaras," said GN Itoo, director of tourism department. Taking a Shikara ride on the world-famous Dal Lake has always been a top priority for tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley. And The tourism department has been working on new ideas to attract more and more tourists. The department has recently started heritage tours, craft exhibitions, night skiing, and various other things for the tourists visiting the valley. The illuminated Shikara's are seen for the first time in the Kashmir Valley. "We are committed to bring new and innovative changes to the tourism scene in Jammu and Kashmir. We are taking various steps, like illuminating the Shikara's. This will not only boost tourism but also give a different look. It's unlike anywhere in the country. A lot of people would love to take photos with these beautifully illuminated Shikaras which will indirectly have an impact on the trade as well as the nightlife. The tourists are enjoying these Shikara rides. It will add glory to the Dal Lake," said Zeeshan Khan, Assistant Director of Tourism. These illuminated Shikaras are so mesmerising that even photographers and videographers are finding it unique. They say this will further boost tourism and people would be thrilled to see nightlife returning to Kashmir Valley. "The moving Shikaras with their illuminated look are so beautiful and to capture it is something amazing. It will increase working hours of these Shikara owners, which means more business for them. The tourists can also enjoy the rides at night. The message it will send across it is that you have things to do in Kashmir even at night," said Mukhtar Ahmad, Photographer. The Shikara and houseboat owners are extremely happy about the step taken by the tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir. They are happy at the prospect of their working hours increasing. "It's a very good step by the government. We had asked them for illumination, and it will help the business. Since night flights have started in Kashmir, we are happy that night Shikaras have started as well. Tourists are enjoying it a lot. We are happy that the Jammu Kashmir tourism department has taken this step. We have 80 illuminated Shikaras and we will be illuminating more than 1000 in times ahead," said Wali Mohammad, president of Shikara Association. The tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir is working on various new ideas where tourists would be getting best experience in the Valley. Adventure, heritage, and craft is the focus for the department to attract more and more tourists to the Valley.

Tourism department illuminates Shikaras on Dal Lake to boost nightlife in Kashmir

It's a bit of a dream come true for everyone in the Kashmir valley. With fresh snowfall, tourist destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam look pretty spectacular in their avatar as winter wonderlands.

Kashmir's white Christmas: Valley receives most tourists in 10 years along with fresh snowfall

Kashmir's white Christmas: Valley witnesses dream-like Christmas celebrations with snowfall

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