Gulmarg witness tourists decline

Gulmarg, July 30: The world famous ski and tourist resort of Gulmarg, once a favourite destination of Indian film industry, in north Kashmir is too witnessing a sharp decline in tourist arrival.

A tourist official said that there has been a sharp decline in the tourist arrivals after two hand grenade blasts at Gulmarg bus stand in which five guests were injured early this month.

After witnessing a bumper season during the winter months when a record number of adventure lovers and skiers from all the country aboard visit snow slopes, the summer season was also going smoothly before the attacks.

Series of grenade attacks on tourists in Srinagar in which about a dozen guests from Kolkata, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh were killed played a havoc on tourist industry which had of late shown an some improvement after about 15 years.

Official said that only 300 tourists, majority of them locals and six foreigners are arriving here daily now against 3500 to 4000, with majority outsiders, before the attacks.

He said besides natural scenic beauty of Gulmarg, the Gandola cable car was the main attraction for tourists.

The decline of tourist arrivals has affected the poney wallas and other connected with the industry, he said.

UNI