Commencement of Amarnath pilgrimage boosts tourism in J-K

Jammu, July 24 (ANI): The commencement of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage has led to a spurt in tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The vendors and shopkeepers in Jammu are experiencing spiraling profits with the arrival of tourists in large numbers.

Jammu falls on the transit route before the final journey for the shrine of Amarnath cave begins, which has boosted the business of the hotel owners.

Blankets, dry fruits, religious items are all in great demand in the markets.

"We are getting to see a lot of good item in the market here. There are blankets, handicrafts, and a lot of good quality dry fruits, etc., available here. This is a very good market," said Gauri Salvi, a tourist from Pune.

Devotees buy these items for prayers, dry fruits, etc., and as a souvenir for their friends and family back home.

"The business is really booming. The tourists are visiting in huge numbers. The number has exceeded the expectations. It was expected by the Government that there would be around four lakh tourists," said Kamal Gupta, a dry fruits shop owner in Jammu.

"But we are anticipating that Yatra (pilgrimage) tourists will exceed more than six lakhs. People are very enthusiastic," he added. (ANI)