BR News Desk
Srinagar: Kashmir this year witnessed early spring blossom, which apparently increased the flow of tourists to the valley.
Currently, tourists from Maharashtra and Gujarat, which are considered spring season lovers are booking their trips to the valley.
As per travel agents, the rush of tourists is such that hotels in Kashmir are booked till the month of April.
“The current season in Kashmir is a combination of greenery, blossom, and snow. Right now, we are getting tourists in heavy numbers from Maharashtra and Gujarat. The reason behind the increased flow of tourists is the early spring blossom in the valley,” President Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) Farooq Ahmad Kuthoo said.
Gulmarg and Pahalgam have been the hotspot of winter tourism in Kashmir, which tourists mostly from southern states of India visited during the last four months.
“Right now, hotels of Srinagar are also booked. Kashmir is round a year destination, but we get a good number of tourists during the spring season because of the moderate climate,” he said.
Kashmir’s spring destinations Badamwari and Tulip Garden are all set to open for tourists and locals this month.
This year, around 1.6 million tulips have been planted at the tulip garden while the administration has also planned various programmes Badamwari too has been decorated to
Umar Ahmad, a travel agent said they have included several services this year to enthrall tourists in the valley.
“This year there has been an addition in the adventure services. Paragliding has again started here in Srinagar, which tourists love to enjoy at hill stations. Further, new attractions including fly dining restaurants apart from regular rafting and skiing are the services included by the travel agents in their packages for the tourists,” he said.
Pertinently, this year Kashmir experienced a record-breaking start of tourism as 2.5 lakh tourists visited the valley in the first two months of this year.
The number of visitors visiting Kashmir last year reached a record 25 lakh last year, significantly more than the previous 40 years average.
