Jahangeer Ganaie
Pahalgam, May 11: Renowned tourist destination Pahalgam has seen an influx of around three lakh visitors, including both domestic and foreign travellers, in the last four months who explored the beauty of the region.
Chief Executive Officer, Pahalgam Development Authority, Tariq Hussian Naik said that more than three lakh tourists including 7,000 foreigners visited Pahalgam in the first four months of this year.
According to Naik, the increase in tourist footfall has brought jubilation among tourism stakeholders in Pahalgam.
Shopkeepers, ponywalas, hoteliers and others have expressed satisfaction with the rise in visitors, as it directly correlates with their livelihoods.
Hotel occupancy rates are on the rise, said Zakir Ahmad, a hotelier, adding that almost all hotels in Pahalgam are fully booked for the next month.
Currently, the whole of Pahalgam is jam-packed and almost all hotels are booked for next month, he said.
An official of the tourism department said that the season is in full bloom in Pahalgam and thousands of tourists are visiting the destination daily.
With each passing day, the number of tourists visiting Pahalgam is increasing and it will increase further in the coming weeks, he said.
The official said thousands of tourists stay for the night at Pahalgam and the number of local as well as domestic tourists visiting the place will increase manifold.
To accommodate the growing number of tourists, the official said efforts are being made to enhance facilities in Pahalgam continuously. This includes improving accommodation options, transportation services, and other amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for visitors, he said.
