New Delhi: Jammu & Kashmir recorded its biggest influx of tourists in 2022, with official figures recording the numbers at 1.88 crore for last year.
The record-breaking tourism in the recently formed Union Territory is the highest in 75 years of India’s Independence. Earlier estimates had pegged this tourist footfall at about 1.62 crore but fresh official data, as reported by AIR India, takes the figure closer to 2 crore mark.
The remarkable tourist footfall in the Jammu & Kashmir comes on the back of UT administration’s big thrust on tourism in the region. Notably, J&K government has made a strong push for developing tourism-centric pockets & zones and also revving up infrastructural projects including the upcoming engineering marvel in Chenab & Zojila tunnel. Slew of development projects coupled with prevailing peace has led to huge arrival of tourists in the region.
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Local businesses get a boost
With arrival of record tourists in the paradise on earth, the local businesses have been infused with a fresh lifeline and today can be seen teeming with hordes of travelers from various parts of the country. Hotels along Dal Lake’s Boulevard Road often go fully packed in peak season.
Two-year spell of Coronavirus pandemic had broken the back of tourism in valley but now the locals are again seeing fresh hope. Hoteliers, houseboat owners & Shikara operators are recording good jump in their revenues, thus bringing smile on their faces.
What changed than earlier
Since Jammu & Kashmir relies heavily on tourism for employment generation & revenue collection, this record footfall promises to add strength to UT’s economy.
Earlier, there was no international flight connectivity to Kashmir but with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching a flight from Srinagar to Sharjah, it satisfied the long pending demanding of locals.
Recently, a comprehensive Film Policy was announced to lure filmmakers back into the valley & its picturesque locations for film shoot. As per figures, 140 shooting permissions for films and web-series have been issued. Recently, a theatre opening in Srinagar & beaming with audience grabbed the spotlight.
Clearly, this marks the golden era of Kashmir Tourism.
