news details |
|
|
| Tourists start returning to Kashmir | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Srinagar, Feb 21 : Hit hard by the last summer unrest, the tourism sector in insurgency-hit Kashmir has started showing signs of revival as the number of holiday makers registers an increase with every passing day.
The inflow of tourists, both domestic and international, was affected by massive protests between June and October last year, after a promising start.
Although the law and order situation has improved over the past couple of months, the looming threat of protests and lack of adequate snowfall during early winter in the valley especially the famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir kept the vacationers away.
Gulmarg, situated about 50 km west of Srinagar, is famous as one of the world's top destinations for extreme and off-piste skiing.
''We are seeing a positive trend as far as tourist arrivals are concerned. The response to the winter tourism is encouraging,'' Tourism Director Farooq Ahmad Shah told UNI.
However, Shah declined to divulge the figures of the tourist arrivals but official sources said hundreds of domestic tourists along with dozens of foreigners are reaching Srinagar, summer capital of the region daily.
The snowfall on the eve of New Year came as a major relief to the tourism sector after months of violence last year.
Kashmir valley received a brief snowfall on December 29, marking the end of nearly two months dry weather. Another light spell of snowfall occurred in the first week of January followed by moderate snowfall in the middle of the month.
The tourism players have been praying for snowfall after the street protests drove away the tourists in the midst of their peak season.
Their prayers were answered as the upper reaches of the valley including the ski resort of Gulmarg and other tourist destinations experienced the heaviest snowfall of the season this month. The slopes of Gulmarg were covered by more than five feet of snow at the moment, while its peripheral areas including Kangdoori, Aferwath, Khilanmarg had over 10 feet snow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
