Traders fear Gulmarg blast will further affect tourism revival

Thu, Jul 24 03:57 AM

Gulmarg saw a complete shutdown on Monday enforced by traders, who were protesting against the grenade attack that left a tourist dead and two others injured. They demanded a probe and questioned the motive behind Sunday's blast.

If the traders were angry, they had a reason to be. The incident came close on the heels of the Amarnath protests, which together threatened to derail what has been a remarkable season for tourism in the Valley. After 20 years, the Tourism Department has been talking in the range of one million plus visitors and opening up new tourist destinations to attract both domestic and foreign tourists. However, the week-long Amarnath protests have already taken a toll, and the grenade blast may further hit the numbers.

While last year 4.6 lakh tourists (excluding Amarnath yatris) had visited the Valley, the figure had already touched an all-time high of 4.5 lakh at the beginning of this season. Since the Amarnath land row though, the numbers have been on a downward spiral. While the number of arrivals was 8,000 per day last month, it went down to 2,000 per day in July. A sales manager at one of the biggest airlines in the state, who didn't want to be named, said they are seeing 60 to 70 per cent cancellations every day.

"Last month tickets were priced at 10,000 and the aircraft would go full and waiting lists were long. Now tickets are available for Rs 3,500 but there are no takers," he said.

Director, Tourism Department, Farooq Shah is equally despondent, particularly after having launched a drive to sell "niche tourism" in the Valley.

Apart from the regular tourists visiting the state for a family holiday, combining a little bit of religion with sight-seeing, officials are targeting high-spending tourists looking for specific adventure. While golf has been promoted as a major tourist attraction for long, with world-class courses in Gulmarg and Srinagar, parasailing in the waters of the world-famous Dal and Nigeen Lakes, wildlife safaris in the Dachigam Forest Reserve and border areas, mountain trekking and the more recent International Rafting Championship have been added to the list.

About 16 international and national teams competed for the "1st Kashmir Cup 2008 - International Rafting Championship" at the Sonamarg meadow on river Sindh.

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