| Locals emerge as ray of hope for tourism in Gulmarg, other destinations | | | EarlyTimes Report
Gulmarg, Oct 13: With tourism in Kashmir valley being badly hit due to COVID-19 pandemic, locals have emerged as a ray of hope for people associated with the sector in world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and other tourist destinations.
Hundreds of locals visit tourist destinations -- including Gulmarg, world famous health resorts of Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Yusmarg and Doodpather -- with their families every day, particularly on the weekends. Tourists from other parts of the country could also been seen clicking pictures in the meadows and streams of these world renounced tourist destinations, though less in number.
Meanwhile, in order to give further boost to the influx of local tourists into Gulmarg, which is known all over the world for its ski slopes and quality of snow, the second phase of Gulmarg Cable Car (GCC) reopened for commercial operation from Saturday. The first phase was reopened on September 27 after remaining suspended from March due to COVID-19.
"We have reopened the second phase of Gulmarg Gondola -- Kongdoori to Apharwat -- from Saturday.
But, the second phase will be operational only on weekends while the first phase will operate seven days a week," an official at Gulmarg Gondola said.
He said that about 150 people ride Gondola Cable Car on weekends while the number stands at 50 to 60 on week days.
"About 60 to 70 per cent who avail Gondola services are locals while the remaining are tourists from other parts of the country.
There are no foreign tourists currently visiting Gulmarg," he said.
He said the numbers were similar last year as well due to unrest in the valley post abrogation of Article 370. "Before that the number of people taking Gandola rides used to range between 400 and 500 per day," he added.
He said all necessary preventive protocols and SOPs regarding COVID-19 like social distance, sanitization of cabins before and after boarding and deboarding of passengers, wearing of masks, temperature checking etc are being strictly adhered to.
The players associated with tourism including hoteliers and pony walas are also exited with some influx of tourists in these resorts.
"Since the reopening of first phase of the Cable Car, Gulmarg has witnessed rush of tourists, particularly locals, who come for family picnics to the resort.
Local tourists don't spend much, but they have brought some relief to people associated with tourism, including pony walas, ATV drivers and dhabas," Sahaba, an ATV driver in Gulmarg, told .
"As there were no tourists, I was forced to work as labourer on construction sites from last couple of months to feed my family. COVID-19 pandemic and unrest post August 5 last year, have taken a heavy toll on all the players associated with tourism.
But, as the tourists have once again thronged to Gulmarg, I alongwith other ATV drivers and pony walas have started to slowly earn our livelihood," he added.
Similarly, rush of locals, particularly on weekends, in other tourists destinations has brought some relief to the people associated with the sector, which has received sever blows due to COVID-19 pandemic and post August 5, 2019 situation.
"As J&K attracts large chunk of domestic tourists from West Bengal and in view of the upcoming Durga Puja Holidays, Travel, Trade and Tour operators of West Bengal were apprised about the easing of restrictions related to COVID19 in J&K including lifting of curbs on entry of people into J&K by road, rail or air, opening up all tourism destinations, parks, hotels and restaurants, opening up of Gulmarg Gondola, opening up of cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes, swimming pools, lifting of ceiling in open spaces and various other measures and guidelines to facilitate tourists and general public while ensuring health safety," an official said.
The Travel, Trade and Tour operators of Bengal were informed that J&K Tourism is promoting responsible tourism and outdoor adventure activities, as a means to gradually move towards full revival of tourism.
The delegations were informed that Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir recently celebrated the World Tourism Day-2020 across all destinations by holding a Shikara Race in the World Famous Dal Lake, Cycle Bike rally from Srinagar to the beautiful Doodhpathri, and also undertook sanitation drives and organised COVID related awareness programme.
Meanwhile, the Centre has extended the facility that allows its employees to visit Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the northeast while availing leave travel concession (LTC) by two more years till September 25, 2022.
The eligible central government employees get reimbursement of tickets for to and fro journey, besides paid leave, when they avail LTC.
The hoteliers and other associated with the sector have now pined hope with winter tourism.
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