Tourism is the backbone of the Kashmir economy. This sector sustains livelihood of thousands of families in the beautiful Valley of Kashmir.
The Tourism industry is important for every place as it provides employment, boosts overall economy and brings in foreign currency, allows for cultural exchanges between people and creates many working places for the citizens. Kashmir and tourism are more often taken as synonymous terms. As the valley of Kashmir is rich with scenic natural beauty that has no other analogy in the world. It is rightly called ‘paradise on earth’. Cradled in the lap of splendid mountains of the Himalayas, Kashmir is the most gorgeous place on earth.
On visiting the Valley of Kashmir, a renowned philosopher, Ameer Khusru is said to have exclaimed: "If there is paradise anywhere on earth, it is here, it is here, and it is here." At one point, there was a significant improvement in state of affairs in Kashmir and normalcy returned to a large extent. But since past few years due to unrest tourism industry has suffered and is still unable to come out of its state and gain its past splendor. As the summer 2018 is round the corner the related stakeholders are hoping, praying for a magnificent tourism season and a 2018 a year full of tourism activity and lasting peace.
Kunal Sharma, a Driver associated with tourism trade, while taking to the Kashmir News Bureau stated – “The Kashmir valley is a gorgeous tourism spot and people are quite hospitable as I am coming to Kashmir since many years and pray that more tourists come here and peace returns .Nothing can beat the scenic spots of Kashmir and the tourism sector is backbone of the economy of the state .” Local voices are hoping a buoyant tourist activity and normalcy returning. Javid Ahmad, a Taxi Driver and travel agent hopes that normalcy, peace returns to Kashmir and calls for government to take all steps to ensure tourists in good flow come to Kashmir.
“ The bread and butter of our family depends on tourism sector and coming of tourists to Kashmir is must .” On the otherhand of the spectrum, brighter reality is that Tourists who have visited Kashmir during current winter season are full of praise about Kashmir and its people.
Mohammad Ali, a tourist from Mumbai stated – “I have been coming to Kashmir since many years and find this place great and heart of India. The things like violence and terrorism are over hyped as aura of Kashmir is filled with beauty and love .It is in everybody’s interest here that tourism flourishes here as Kashmir and Tourism are synonymous .The Kashmiri marriages are a must for every tourist to see as the food served is world class. Nothing can beat the good nature of Kashmir.
I stress all of us in country should strive to make Kashmir a peaceful place and crown of tourism in Country.” Pertinently, some tourists are stressing to make more facilities to further improve the tourism sector of the Kashmir valley. A female tourist from Punjab Pooja believes Kashmir has in it all to be called among the best tourist spot of the world but believes that more infrastructures can add sheen. She States “ The burning demand is to have public toilets on highways as absence of same hurts travelers and this should be taken as priority. Kashmiri hospitality as best as Punjab and its natural beauty unmatched.” In nutshell, the hopes of buoyant tourism 2018 season are high and Kashmir is calling the national and global tourists to visit with the place slowly limping back to normalcy.