Resumption of Tourism Activities Signals Economic Revival and Renewed Optimism
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD): The breathtaking valleys and meadows of Jammu and Kashmir are once again alive with the presence of tourists, as the reopening of popular destinations brings a fresh wave of hope to the region’s tourism sector. After a prolonged lull, the revival of travel has renewed the confidence of stakeholders—from hoteliers and transporters to artisans and guides.
“This reopening is like oxygen for us,” said Mohammad Younis, a veteran tour operator based in Pahalgam. “We had been barely surviving over the last year, relying on meagre savings and occasional bookings. Now, with tourists returning, we finally see light at the end of the tunnel.”
Catheline, a solo traveler from Germany, said she had initial reservations about visiting Kashmir due to media coverage but was glad she made the trip. “I was reluctant at first, but everything here has surprised me in the best way—the beauty, the warmth of people, the calmness. I feel completely safe and spiritually uplifted,” she said while sipping kahwa by the Dal Lake.
Domestic tourists also expressed their joy. Farah Khan, visiting from Mumbai, said, “We were hesitant earlier, but everything seems so well-organized and peaceful. The locals are warm, and the place feels safe. This trip has been spiritually and emotionally rejuvenating.”
Stakeholders in Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam reported increased bookings and improved footfall, especially as the region prepares for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.
“Bookings have gone up by 60% in just a week,” said Bilal Ahmad Dar, who manages a tourist cab service in Srinagar. “If the current trend continues, this season might just make up for our losses.”
Local artisans, too, are benefiting from the revival. Shaista Bano, a papier-mâché craftswoman in Srinagar, shared, “For the first time in months, I sold ten items in a single day. Tourists are not just buyers—they’re admirers of our heritage.”
“This is not just a destination—it’s an emotion,” said Ravi Subramaniam, a first-time visitor from Bengaluru. “The moment we stepped onto the banks of Dal Lake, I knew I’d return again—this time with more people.”
With infrastructure improvements, enhanced connectivity, and comprehensive security arrangements in place, tourism stakeholders are optimistic that 2025 will be a defining year for the sector’s long-awaited recovery (DD)