Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Aug 5: From capital city Srinagar to picturesque Tangmarg, Sonamarg and Doodhpathri, homestays are coming up in large numbers, thanks to the record break arrivals of tourists to Kashmir this year.
Last year as many as 457 homestays came up in Jammu and Kashmir last year, which added to the bed capacity by1180.
With this, the total number of homestays in Jammu and Kashmir has increased to 1,942 with the bed capacity of 14,180.
The concept of homestays is flourishing as the tourist numbers are breaking records of the previous years.
As per the figures as many as 15.65 lakh tourist arrivals till June in Kashmir.
Officials at the tourism department said more homestays are expected to come up in coming years as people apply for permission to set up homestays and guest houses.
“People are applying for permission in large numbers. Prominent spots where homestays are coming up now are Srinagar, Tangmarg ,Doodhpathri apart from Gurez, Keran and other border areas,” they said.
They said the idea of homestays and guest houses will increase the bed capacity of Kashmir to accommodate even swelling tourist numbers.
“During peak season the majority of the hotels here report full occupancy. Most budget category tourists suffer during that time. So, homestays are going to solve the problem,” the officials said.
Homestays and guest houses become relatively cheaper for a tourist and by staying in registered home stays, visitors experience the hospitality of local families, gain insights into the culture and traditions of Jammu and Kashmir.
Currently the total registered capacity for tourist accommodation in Kashmir is 62,488 beds, which include all the hotels of A, B and C category and also the Guest Houses and Houseboats.
The ‘A’ category hotels in Srinagar have 8,778-bed capacity, ‘B’ category hotels in Srinagar have 7,036 bed capacity, ‘C’ category hotels in Srinagar have 10,500 bed capacity, Guest Houses have17,114 bed capacity and the registered operational Houseboats have 4,462 bed capacity.
Local residents have seized the opportunity by converting their homes into homestays to cash in on the tourists flow to the border area.
