Fresh snow in Kashmir sparks optimism for struggling tourism sector

An early October snowfall in Kashmir has raised hopes for a rebound in the region’s struggling tourism sector, with visitors beginning to arrive at popular destinations such as Gulmarg. On Monday, the plains of Kashmir were lashed by rain, while high-altitude areas, including Gulmarg, Sinthan Top, Marghan Top, Bangus Valley, Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, Peer Ki Gali and the upper reaches of Gurez Valley were covered in a thin layer of snow. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Jammu and Kashmir, told businessline light snowfall would continue in high-altitude areas until Tuesday afternoon, with overall weather expected to improve thereafter. The early snowfall turned the Apharwat hills in the famed ski resort of Gulmarg into a winter spectacle, drawing tourists and raising hopes for a revival of the Valley’s battered tourism sector. Sharif Ahmad Dar, manager at Hotel Grand Mumtaz in Gulmarg, said they had begun receiving calls for bookings. “Since Monday, we have been receiving queries from tourists from different parts of the country,” he said. Dar added that tourist footfall remained low but expressed hope that the fresh snowfall would attract more visitors in the coming days. An official said around 1,500 to 2,000 tourists visit Gulmarg daily and they expect numbers to rise as winter sets in. After the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, Kashmir’s tourism industry suffered a major setback, with widespread cancellations and a sharp drop in arrivals. In the first half of this year, tourist numbers fell to around 750,000, compared with over 1.56 million during the same period in 2024. Foreign tourist arrivals declined by 41%, while domestic tourism plunged 52 per cent. KEA urges revival Qazi Tauseef, spokesperson of the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), told businessline that the early snowfall offers a valuable opportunity to revive economic activity across hospitality, transport, handicraft and retail sectors. “We appeal to tourists from across the country and abroad to visit Kashmir and be part of this magical season. The Valley is fully prepared to welcome guests with warmth, safety and hospitality,” he added. He urged the government to maintain uninterrupted road and air connectivity and strengthen tourism infrastructure and promotion to fully capitalize on the season. Published on October 7, 2025