SRINAGAR: Fresh snowfall across the higher reaches and major tourist destinations of Kashmir has breathed new life into the Valley’s tourism sector, which had taken a severe hit after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. North Kashmir’s ski resort of Gulmarg has emerged as the biggest gainer, with hotels reporting complete occupancy for the New Year celebrations.
Following last week’s heavy snowfall—the first major spell of the winter season—Gulmarg is now covered in a thick white blanket, triggering a sharp rise in tourist arrivals. The surge has exceeded industry expectations, bringing renewed optimism to tourism stakeholders.
“The snowfall has had a very positive and significant impact on winter tourism. All hotels in Gulmarg are fully booked. We did not anticipate such a rush, but tourist arrivals have surpassed our expectations,” said Farooq Ahmad Kuthoo, president of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK).
