Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Jan 24: As the snow continues to elude Kashmir, the Tourism sector is grappling with a severe blow, witnessing a staggering 70-80 percent drop in hotel occupancy.
The prolonged dry winter has stripped the entire Valley of its snowy charm, dissuading tourists who are typically drawn to its picturesque winter landscape.
Hotels and houseboats, usually bustling at this time of year, now grapple with a significant decline, dealing a blow to winter tourism in Kashmir. Expressing disappointment, Nida Khan, a tourist from Uttar Pradesh, said: “It hurts, as live snowfall is like heaven on earth. The place is beautiful, but we are still waiting for the snow.”
Gazing over the barren slopes of Gulmarg, Kashmir’s premier ski destination, Irshad Ahmad, formerly bustling with winter guests, laments the decline. “I used to receive 3 to 4 booking inquiries daily, but now it is just cancellation orders. Out of 11 rooms, only 2 are occupied in our hotel, and the situation is similar in other hotels.”
Ahmad highlights that the decline in tourist footfalls has affected everyone from guides to sledge owners and small vendors in Gulmarg.
The shockwaves of low occupancy have rippled across the Valley, affecting everyone associated with the tourism sector. Abdul Razaq, who has been guiding tourists on the Dal lake for years, faces a decline in rides.
“Compared to last year, there are very few tourists this year. The lack of snowfall has severely affected us, as tourists specifically come to witness it,” he said.
The iconic houseboats, once a magnet for winter enthusiasts are equally affected. The unusually hot temperature has kept tourists away. “The tourism sector has been severely hit, with a 70-80 percent decline,” the chairman of the Houseboat Owners Association, Manzoon Pakhtoon, told Excelsior.
He said despite preparations, including upgrading houseboats with heating systems, the absence of snowfall has played spoilsport. “The frozen Dal Lake is usually a draw for tourists during the winter, but things are different this winter. We are optimistic and anticipate a turnaround if snowfall graces the Valley,” he said.
He added: “If you see, we have only 15-20 percent occupancy, and the rest are empty. We hope that the snow will fall, and those who have postponed their visit will reschedule, while those who have cancelled will rebook again,” he said.
Farhat Naik, a snowboard instructor in Gulmarg for the last one decade, told Excelsior that he has not seen such a dry spell in his career.
“My clients are mostly Europeans and Americans and so far, all the four groups have cancelled their trip. 50 percent of the season is already gone and we are now hoping for snowfall in Feb first week to salvage the season,” he said.
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