SRINAGAR: Nearly 12 million tourists have visited Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) this year, and the trend is growing faster, according to Tassaduq Hussain, Joint Director, Kashmir Tourism.
Talking about the situation of tourism in the state following the floods that ravaged the state in September this year, he stated, “Tourism is thriving in Jammu & Kashmir. This year in September, Jammu & Kashmir witnessed the
worst of the floods in decades. In the time of need, locals helped thousands of tourists stranded showing true spirit of hospitality, the bond was so strong not even a single fatality of a tourist was reported. Jammu & Kashmir
bounced back to normalcy in record number of days.”
Welcoming tourists from across the country, Talat Parvez, Director – Tourism, Kashmir, said, “In Jammu & Kashmir, 99 per cent hotels are back in business, welcoming guests with open hands. Tourists coming to Kashmir, besides leisure, can indulge in many activities such as adventure sports, skiing, mountain hiking, para- gliding, horseback riding, river rafting, tout
fishing, and golfing.”
Hussain went on to say, “Now is the best time of the year when you see beautiful shades of autumn, migratory birds from Siberia. Central Asia and other parts of the world have already started to arrive in wetlands of Jammu & Kashmir. This year, we have planned many winter festivals and international ski events in Gulmarg and Pahalgam. In January, you can have the experience of a lifetime by trekking through the frozen Zanskar River for eight days.” (Courtesy HBI)