Joy returns with arrival of tourists

Finally, the tourism players across the Valley have started earning their livelihood again as the tourists from across the country as well as outside the country have started visiting Jammu and Kashmir especially Valley here, bringing smiles on the faces of tourism players, who have witnessed dry season frequently in the last three years. The dejection has finally come to an end as the Shikarawalas, houseboat owners, hoteliers could be seen keeping themselves busy with the tourists once again. Although the guests coming from different parts of the country get disappointed after witnessing continuous closure of the public parks especially in the Valley, which remain the most attractive place for them during the ongoing season. The tourists could be seen thronging to different parks outside Srinagar especially Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg. Due to the opening of public parks, the flow of tourists is more in other districts as compared to Srinagar, which in result is helping the tourism players to earn their livelihood again. Keeping in view, the government should consider opening of parks with proper Covid related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Srinagar so that the people affiliated with tourism in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir would also start earning their livelihood freely and could heave a sigh of relief. The opening of public parks would possibly lead to an increase in the flow of tourists to Srinagar here.