SRINAGAR: For the month of June most of the tourist accommodation in Srinagar and other health resorts of the entire Kashmir valley are sold out and the season is only showing record breaking arrivals.
This summer, unprecedented tourist arrivals have brought a lot of happiness to thousands of people, who are connected with the tourist industry, and according to tourism officials the current year will be a year which will break all the previous records of tourist arrivals here.
According to the figures of the tourism department, more than 1.25 million tourists have already thronged to Kashmir in the current year.
“We are getting a lot of queries for the accommodation in the coming autumn season and the current season we have 100% booking”, said Junaid Shafi, who is running a local travel agency in Srinagar.
For the month of June most of the tourist accommodation in Srinagar and other health resorts of the entire Kashmir valley are sold out and the season is only showing record breaking arrivals.
Even all the home stays, guest houses and other such accommodations across Kashmir valley, including in Srinagar city, are witnessing unprecedented tourist rush and most of them are sold out for the current month of June.
Hoteliers Club of Kashmir, which is an umbrella of all such tourist accommodations here, have expressed hope that with the improving law and order situation. Foreign tourists will also come in the current season and it would be a big boost to earn foreign exchange.
As the annual Amarnath Yatra will start from June 29 and conclude after 52 days on August 19 this year, it would be another boost to the tourist industry as lacs of them come annually and visit the holy Amarnath Cave from the twin routes of Sonmarg and Pahalgam.
With the mercury only on rise in most parts of the country especially in Delhi and other Northern States, thousands of people are trying to beat the heat by coming to Kashmir valley to enjoy the cool and serene atmosphere here during the summers.
The local economy in Kashmir valley especially in the Srinagar city is largely dependent upon the tourism industry.
Officials of the Tourism Department recently said that annually the tourism industry will pump up to Rs 8000 crores if such record breaking tourist arrivals come here.
During the current summer season, the tourism industry in Kashmir valley is witnessing a healthy trend of 100% bookings for the tourist accommodation and it will boost the local economy as the handicrafts industry is also connected with this trade.