Gulmarg witnesses heavy tourist rush in last 5 months

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Gulmarg, Kashmir’s primary tourist attraction, has seen an unprecedented increase in tourist arrivals over the last five months, which officials attribute to aggressive tourism promotions, increased security, and significant infrastructural upgrades.

The increase in tourists, according to an official, not only supports the local economy but also reflects how well the administration and security services have carried out their strategic aims. They said that the improved security situation, efficient tourism advertising, and improved infrastructure had helped Gulmarg cement its status as a top vacation destination for travellers.

Gulmarg’s Tourist Office saw a steady increase in tourist numbers from January to April 2023. Domestic tourists totalled 69,383 in January, joined by 26,149 locals, for a total of 95,989. As February arrived, the allure of Gulmarg drew even more visitors, with domestic visitors totaling 73,690, locals totaling 10,421, and foreigners totaling 1,094.

Domestic tourists increased by 92,412 in March, joining 11,350 locals and 1,197 overseas visitors. In April, there were 120,009 domestic, 14,617 local, and 457 foreign tourists.

Gulmarg became a popular destination, attracting 367,203 domestic visitors, 72,426 locals, and 4,218 international tourists.

The Gondola ride, one of Gulmarg’s main attractions, has witnessed an incredible surge in popularity, bringing up to 400,000 people since the beginning of this year. To meet the tremendous demand, the administration has created more time slots.

To accommodate intrepid travelers, the Cable Car Corporation’s managing director, Jeelani Zargar, announced the rollout of the Tatkal ticketing system. “Tickets used to be released months in advance, favoring those who planned their visits well in advance. However, they extended the operating hours by one hour and started the Tatkal ticketing slot at 8 a.m., realizing the necessity to accommodate tourists with last-minute arrangements. This extra hour will only be used to make it easier for people who are visiting Gulmarg spontaneously to make on-the-spot ticket bookings,” he said.

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