Gulmarg, Dec 29: Exuberance and elation characterized the recent snowfall in the renowned tourist destination of Gulmarg on Thursday afternoon, as the Ski haven known for its wintry beauty had its roads thronged with tourists in anticipation of the upcoming New Year festivities.
The tourists staying in nearby hotels and resorts in and around Gulmarg could not repress the urge to come out of their cosy rooms to rejoice the snowfall.
The tourism stakeholders in Gulmarg are exultant over the fresh snowfall of the season as it lures lots of sightseers from all over the world to the valley. All the hotels and guesthouses in Gulmarg are full with visitors.
“The fresh snowfall will really ramp up our business. The more snow, the more money we can make during the winter. There are so many people involved in the tourism industry who benefit from this,” said one of the local hoteliers.
He proclaimed that the new snowfall will bring about a rise in the number of sightseers every day. “We anticipate more sightseers during the forthcoming winter. Anyone who visits here dubs it Paradise and never departs dissatisfied”, he said.
A copious snowfall in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday late afternoon brought a much desired alleviation from the chill weather for the valley people and a delight for holidaymakers and New Year partygoers.
Snowfall started in Srinagar and other areas of the valley in the latter part of the day, bringing down the temperature by several degrees throughout Kashmir.
Hundreds of visitors who have come to the valley to welcome the new year, were jubilant at the snowfall as many were seen capturing the rare moment of snowfall in their cameras and phones.
Individuals from all backgrounds, particularly those affiliated with the tourism industry, were joyous to witness the Kashmir valley blanketed in snow and believed it to be a sign of a prosperous winter tourism period.
Akib Chaya, the proprietor of Hilltop Group told Rising Kashmir that since the snowfall started, Gulmarg is abuzz with festivities.
He said that the Meteorological Department had already predicted the snowfall, prompting a flurry of reservations for the upcoming four to five days.
“With the New Year celebrations coming up, all hotels have been decked up for the occasion. We are fully prepared to welcome tourists and receive them with warmth”, he said.
Officials within the Jammu and Kashmir tourism department are preparing for the winter tourism season, with snow and winter festivals to be held in popular hill stations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam 31st of December.
Kashmir is currently enduring ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harshest winter period, when a rigorous cold wave propels across the valley and the temperatures dip drastically, resulting in the freezing of bodies of water, such as the renowned Dal and Wular Lake.
