Jahangeer Ganaie
Pahalgam, Jun 23: In a welcome turn of events, the renowned tourist destination, Pahalgam in south Kashmir, witnessed a good rush over the weekend—the first such revival since the terror attack in April that had cast a shadow over the region’s tourism prospects.
Tourists from various parts of the valley made their way to the picturesque valley on Saturday and Sunday.
Officials and tourism stakeholders said that the area saw significant footfall, leading to traffic jams in several stretches and a notable uptick in hotel occupancy.
Sunday, in particular, saw the tourist hotspot abuzz with life. Families, picnickers and adventure lovers thronged the Lidder banks, markets and parks, enjoying the cool climate and intermittent drizzle.
“The atmosphere was dull and uncertain over the last few weeks, but this weekend brought a wave of positivity,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a hotelier in Pahalgam. “We had close to 70% occupancy by Sunday evening. With schools on summer break and weather favouring travel, we expect more such weekends ahead.”
Local vendors, too, expressed cautious optimism. “After the attack, people were scared, and the business was hit badly. This weekend felt like a new beginning,” said Asma Jan, who runs a handicraft stall near the park.
The renewed activity even prompted a reaction from political quarters. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday to share his observations:
“The last time I was in Pahalgam I cycled through a market that was all but deserted. Today I came back to a Pahalgam that was bustling with activity. Tourists from various parts of the country competed for space with local picnickers who were enjoying the cool climate & rainy weather. It’s very satisfying to see the efforts my colleagues & I have been putting in slowly bearing fruit,” he wrote.
Tourism department officials say they have been working to instil confidence among visitors and promote Kashmir as a safe and vibrant destination.
“Security has been beefed up, and all departments are working in coordination to ensure a smooth tourist experience,” said an official. “This weekend was a good sign, and we expect more such a rush in the coming weeks.”
The Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) and traffic police were seen actively managing the growing rush, ensuring order despite the sudden spike in visitors.
With stakeholders banking on the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and continued favourable weather, hopes are high that the iconic valley will soon return to its pre-attack tourism numbers. Photos and videos from this bustling weekend went viral on social media. (KNO)
