First snowfall attracts tourists to Gulmarg, stakeholders elated

First snowfall attracts tourists to Gulmarg, stakeholders elated

Hotel owners and other stakeholders in the industry who were worried for fear of cancellations due to lack of snow, are now elated as the entire destination-from mountains to meadows, trees to parks are covered with thick blanket of snow, adding to the charm and beauty of the wonderland.

Snow is beautifying everything it covers during the last two days when a fresh snowfall occurred in higher reaches of Kashmir, including Gulmarg where tourists are thronging in hordes. Gulmarg saw unexpected number of tourists in no time even as the hotels are said to be fully occupied around Christmas.

 

Hotel owners and other stakeholders in the industry who were worried for fear of cancellations due to lack of snow, are now elated as the entire destination-from mountains to meadows, trees to parks are covered with thick blanket of snow, adding to the charm and beauty of the wonderland. Even streams that ran lifeless until few days back are resonating with gushing waters and quietness has been replaced suddenly by bustling activity of both local as well outside tourists.

While the hoteliers and industry associations are selling fresh snowfall view and picturesque environs through alluring ad campaigns, the news of first snowfall in Kashmir is attracting pilgrims from Jammu, many of whom are visiting in almost unplanned manner just to enjoy the beauty of Kashmir in winters.

 

For Sunil and his wife Priya from Kanpur in UP, it was an instant decision to take the taxi from Katra to Gulmarg. For the couple watching snowfall is more than mesmerizing experience , beyond imagination of enjoyment. “After having darshans at Vaishno Devi , we heard about snowfall which we had never experienced ….it is a heavenly feeling”, said Priya who is enjoying despite severe cold.

The rush of tourists is however expected around Christmas and new year and around that time the occupancy of hotels is almost full, said a hotelier , feeling grateful to Almighty for ‘snowfall’ or else, he says many tourists were reluctant to come. The industry people, many of whom are into ice skeeing, ice skating and sledging, almost all fun activities related to snow are praying snow gets accumulated and more of it comes around Christmas that would add charm to the place.

 

While there are many first timers who would be arriving in Gulmarg by next week, so many families from outside J&K are regular visitors in winter to Gulmarg and Sonmarg. For Gupta family from Delhi who have planned flight on Christmas, Gulmarg is the destination to celebrate new year for many years now. “And why not, it is our own Switzerland and everything is relatable in the place…”, said Neetu Gupta who has planned trip this time with office colleagues besides family.