Pahalgam witnesses a rush of tourists ahead of New Year celebrations
Pahalgam: Undeterred by the recent horrific terrorist attack, tourists continued to flock to the picturesque town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, and on Saturday, they continued to celebrate the upcoming New Year.
As the year draws to a close, tourists seeking a break from the busy city life are once again flocking to this popular hill station. The influx of tourists is returning months after the April 22nd attack, which killed 26 tourists and severely impacted tourism in the entire region.
Many tourists expressed happiness and relief at the improved security arrangements.
A tourist from Hisar, Haryana, said: “I came here with my husband, and this is my first visit to Kashmir. It is truly beautiful. The security arrangements are excellent, and we feel safe celebrating the New Year here.”
Another tourist from Haryana echoed similar sentiments, saying: “I came here to welcome the New Year and will take back wonderful memories. Everything here—the weather, the atmosphere, and the overall experience—is wonderful.”
A group of college students also visited the area to celebrate the occasion.
One student said, “The situation is much better now. I went to Srinagar earlier and am currently in Pahalgam. Although it hasn’t snowed yet, we hope it will in the next two or three days. There are 16 of us, and the locals have been very cooperative. We haven’t faced any problems so far.”
Following the April 22 terror attack, authorities closed several tourist resorts and destinations in and around Pahalgam for security reasons. This incident sparked widespread panic, leading thousands of tourists to leave Kashmir and causing widespread cancellations during the peak summer season.
The tourism sector, a vital part of the local economy, suffered significant losses. Hotels, restaurants, taxi operators, and handicraft sellers reported significant losses, forcing many businesses to temporarily close. The sudden halt in tourist activity also resulted in job losses and financial hardship for thousands of families dependent on tourism.
In response, both the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the central government took steps to restart tourism. These included gradually reopening tourist destinations, increasing security, and launching initiatives to restore tourist confidence.
The current surge of visitors ahead of the New Year celebrations is being seen as a positive sign for the gradual resumption of tourism in Pahalgam and the entire Kashmir Valley.
