Gulmarg all set for winter rush with grand New Year carnival

Gulmarg, Dec 30: Gulmarg gears up for a busy winter as the Valley prepares to welcome a surge of tourists during the festive season.
The Tourism Department is all set to host a grand seven-day New Year carnival that promises snow adventures, cultural shows and musical nights, aimed at showcasing the hospitality and spirit of peace.
Director Tourism, Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajad, said the carnival would include several attractions such as snow cricket, snow skiing and musical evenings designed to offer visitors a seamless experience during their winter holiday.
“We are hosting a week-long carnival to ensure that tourists enjoy the celebrations and take along the message of peace from the Valley across the country,” he said.
He extended warm greetings to visitors on behalf of the Department and expressed gratitude for their growing presence in the region. “We welcome tourists with open hearts. All arrangements have been put in place to make their stay comfortable and memorable. Let them experience the warmth and love themselves—we are humbled by the response and hope peace continues to prevail,” he added.
Acknowledging that the tourism sector had faced a brief setback earlier, the Director said the industry had successfully recovered, with tourists returning to the Valley in significant numbers.
“Tourists are back, and they are enjoying the facilities and services happily,” he said. “Wherever there are gaps, we are upgrading services continuously, and with every rise in footfall, we remain committed to improving infrastructure for a more seamless visitor experience.”
Speaking about the upgraded Gulmarg Gondola, one of the world’s highest cable cars, Sajad said its carrying capacity had been enhanced.
“We have increased the number of cabins to 72, which now operates at full capacity. The system can now carry nearly 9,000 tourists per day,” he informed. “We are ensuring a regulated tourist flow through a slot system to prevent any inconvenience. Tourists are requested to cooperate with the process for a smoother experience.”
The Director added that the Department is focused on maintaining high service standards and that ongoing improvements in tourism infrastructure will further strengthen Kashmir’s position as one of India’s most sought-after winter destinations. (KNO)