SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: With the COVID cases declining and recovery rate increasing fast, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has given permission to normal international air travel, and it is expected that with resumption of international air travel, the footfall of foreigners would increase significantly in coming days.
Secretary Tourism said that despite limited air travel between India and overseas destinations during last few weeks, the foreign tourist arrivals had started witnessing an increase. He, however, said that resumption of routine international air travel is a shot in the arm for Kashmir tourism. “The international air travel has resumed at the best possible time and we could not have asked for more. We are quite hopeful that more foreigners will start visiting Kashmir during this tourism season,” said officer.
Secretary Tourism further said that COVID-19 has caused depression and destruction in sector and has adversely affected arrival of foreign tourists to Kashmir. However, he said that decline in COVID cases as well as resumption of air travel is good news for tourism sector. “Foreign tourists did not have the opportunity for the last two years to visit Kashmir. The domestic tourist arrivals to Kashmir are quite upbeat and we are hopeful that we will soon be witnessing the arrival of our foreign guests as well,” he added. It has been reported that travel queries are increasing with travel trade players. Foreign tourists have started showing interest in Kashmir tourism once again
The Secretary Tourism said the department will hold international travel marts road show abroad with the Union Ministry of Tourism. “We have a lot of activities in overseas destinations. The main focus is not only to showcase the natural beauty of Kashmir but also the hospitality and culture of the place,” he added.
Asia’s largest Tulip Garden overlooking Dal Lake in the summer capital of J&K thrown open for public is also giving local tourism players a hope of a healthy start to the tourist season. Most tour-trade players expressed optimism that with more than a million Tulips expected to bloom the season, the year will witness a sharp increase in footfalls.
Tourists from the South-East Asia region, especially Malaysia and Thailand continued to spend vacations in Kashmir prior to outbreak of COVID in 2020. As per official figures, almost 22,000 foreign tourists visited Kashmir between January 2019 to April 2019
Meanwhile, Airline operators have decided to add almost fifteen new flights in their schedule and proposal for the same has been submitted to authorities, which after finalization enhance the total number of flights scheduled to Srinagar to 55.
An Airport Authority of India official said that new flights include several Delhi-Srinagar flights and flights from other cities of country. It may be mentioned that last year central government has declared Srinagar International Airport as a ‘major airport’.