Tourism Takes a Hit as Kashmir Faces 50 Per Cent Decline in Footfall Amid Dry Winter

SRINAGAR: The prolonged dry spell has severely impacted Kashmir’s tourism industry, with a significant decline in bookings and an increase in cancellations, particularly in Gulmarg, a prime winter destination.

Gulmarg, once snowy, now grapples with remnants of last year’s snow – a clear indicator of climate change (KL Image- Umar Dar)

Aqib Chaya, a prominent hotelier and President of the Hoteliers Club Gulmarg, highlighted that the severe shortage of snowfall this season has affected business across the valley.

Chaya said that the postponement of the 2025 Khelo India Winter Games has further dented the tourism sector, leading to substantial cancellations.

He added that beyond the Khelo India event, the lack of snow has resulted in a 20–30% decline in business in Gulmarg and a 50% drop in destinations like Pahalgam and Srinagar. “The industry, which usually thrives on winter tourism, is struggling due to the unseasonal dry spell,” he said.

Chaya also expressed concern over the region’s mounting ‘unorganised’ and ‘unchecked’ commercial expansion, which he said contributes to worsening climate change factors.

“We have been vocal about the need for sustainable and green architecture. The government must prioritise eco-friendly infrastructure to preserve Kashmir’s fragile ecology,” Chaya added.

He warned that the impact extends beyond tourism, with water scarcity threatening agriculture and horticulture due to reduced snowfall. He urged immediate policy interventions to mitigate long-term damage to both tourism and the environment.

Manzoor Pakthoon, Chairman of the Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association (KHOA), also highlighted the challenges faced by stakeholders this year.

“Our winter economy depends on snowfall. People visit Kashmir for winter activities and snow-covered landscapes, but this year, there was hardly any snow. As a result, we saw a significant number of cancellations. Tourists who expected snow through March had to change their plans,” Pakthoon said.

Pakthoon also mentioned that foreign tourist arrivals witnessed a steep decline, particularly from Europe and Russia, which were key markets in previous years.

“Last year, even with slightly less snowfall, tourists still came. However, this year, due to the unfavourable weather conditions, many international visitors cancelled their plans. The decline in foreign tourists has been significant,” he added.

Chaya noted that while Gulmarg previously boasted full occupancy in peak winter, this season saw only around 60% bookings. The industry was relying on February to recover losses, but low snowfall dashed those hopes.

He warned that with climate change tightening its grip on Kashmir, the tourism sector faces an uncertain future, with potential for greater economic setbacks if sustainability measures are not implemented soon. (KNO)

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