In 2022, a remarkable achievement was witnessed in travel and tourism industry of Jammu and Kashmir as huge inflow of tourists were seen at all the tourist places enjoying their holidays with family and friends in all the four season round the year be it spring, summer, autumn and winter and huge rush of tourists were seen at all the tourist and religious places across the whole Jammu and Kashmir.
Almost all the hotels in Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg hill resorts were seen fully occupied by domestic and foreign tourists on the Christmas and New Year occasions as rush of tourists were seen celebrating the two festive days in full humour.
Faheem Qureshi, a young entrepreneur of Srinagar city soon after completing degree in Tourism had setup his own business venture “Stay Pattern Hospitality Services” in 2019, first of its kind in Kashmir valley for the promotion of tourism business for top leading hotels in Gulmarg, Pahlagam, Sonamarg and Srinagar city for all the four seasons. Faheem seems to be very optimistic about the winter tourism and is expecting high international and domestic tourists in the winter season for Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg tourist resorts as huge snowfall is expected and can attract more and more tourists.
Faheem starts every day with a mission to help travelers & hospitality partners for achieving their dreams in a responsible manner and wants to provide his business partners with excellent management services to boost their business and also keeps a vision to be one of the leading & trusted hospitality management companies and to build an immense trust among the business partners and clients.
Stay Pattern Hospitality Services according to Faheem Qureshi currently handles the marketing and promotional business of leading hotels of Kashmir valley including The Orchard Retreat & Spa, Srinagar, Shaw Inn, Gulmarg, Arco Hotels & Resorts, Sonamarg, Lake Avenue at Dal Lake and are planning to expand with seven more by the end of this year as tourists arrival are expected to be much more in the ensuing winter.
Faheem with his High‐performing, strategic‐thinking professional with more than 10 years’ experience in Marketing and Communication, Branding, PR,Advertising, Digital Marketing , Sales and Customer Care believes adept at assessing needs, generating options, and implementing solutions in collaboration with clients and businesspartners.
He further says that his personal goal is to help the community grow and expand in the field of tourism with proper guidance in sales and marketingtechniques and want his clients to have an extraordinary experience in our valley and he is commitment and passion to deliver promises which will enhance profitability while being emancipated from daily management responsibilities.
As already around 1.62 crore tourists have visited Jammu and Kashmir since January 2022 and it is the highest ever tourist inflow figure in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, and Christmas and new year celebrations were seen full of tourists enjoying the festival in full fever at all leading tourist places of Jammu and Kashmir despite the bone chilling cold weather.
The Jammu and Kashmir tourism department hosted mega events on all the top tourist destinations across the region like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Patnitop to keep a celebrations atmosphere for all the tourists and locals on the New Year celebrations.
To maximize tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, direct international flights have also been introduced apart from the leisure activities that form a core part of tourism, better security and resulting faith in the law and order mechanism of the region have ensured that religious tourism within the union territory have always taken place smoothly and with ease.
The sector of Tourism witnessed a significant boost in April, 2022 with the highest-ever record of 102 to and fro flights as well as around 15,199 average daily passengers.As a result, a new terminal of the Srinagar International Airport was granted approval to cater to the increased footfall and possible rush for the upcoming tourist season.
For ensuring a sustainable growth during months other than the tourist season, the government has also sought to establish a more balanced socio-economic development model that can seep through to the block level on a deeper level.
Popularly known as the “Paradise on Earth”, Jammu and Kashmir is world famous for its scenic splendour, snow-capped mountains, plentiful wildlife, exquisite monuments, hospitable people and local handicrafts.
Kashmir, often described as the Switzerland of Asia is a natural magnet for tourism with its alpine forests, balmy climate, high mountains, lakes, rushing streams, ski slopes and verdant valleys. Its rich culture and thriving handicrafts are additional assets as are its well-known pilgrimage sites.
Kashmir is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, and features in the travel wish list of almost all travelers. However, most parts of the valley remain closed during winters due to harsh cold weather and heavy snowfall, thereby making things difficult for travel.
Some of the popular tourist places like Karnah, Sonamarg, and Gurez usually remain closed for tourists due to low visibility, and snowfall and now after 70 years, all the three places will remain open for tourists in the winter months in a move to boost the region’s tourism sector.
Kashmir is an epitome of natural beauty, and it is renowned the world over for that. You can soak your senses on the many lakes, gardens and hill stations that attract thousands of tourists every year. Take perfect pictures and take home memories of a perfect holiday.
The land is brimming with picturesque vistas, amazing flora, stunning architecture and there are quaint homestays and eco-friendly resorts that visitors can choose from. Those with an adventurous bent of mind will find a plethora of activities waiting for them. And finally, if you are spiritually inclined, the numerous religious shrines will show you the way to peace and serenity.
The enhanced tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has generated the greatest employment in various regions, thus highlighting its overall developments through a constructive approach, transformative initiatives and inevitable reforms to empower J-K for its people, culture and society.
(The author is a regular columnist and can be mailed at [email protected])
