Baramulla, Dec 30: After a prolonged lull at the start of the winter season, Gulmarg tourist resort has finally come alive, witnessing an unprecedented rush of tourists following the season’s first major snowfall, much to the delight of local stakeholders.
On Tuesday, the surge in tourist arrivals led to massive traffic congestion, with long jams on the Tangmarg-Gulmarg road stretch, particularly from Chandilora to Gulmarg, where vehicles remained stranded for hours.
Traffic Police were seen regulating movement and allowing vehicles in a staggered manner to ease the situation.
Since the onset of winter, Gulmarg had seen comparatively low footfall, causing concern among hoteliers, ponywalas, guides, shopkeepers, and others associated with the tourism sector.
However, the recent snowfall has dramatically changed the scenario, triggering a sharp rise in tourist inflow over the past week.
Hoteliers say the resort is now operating at full capacity.
“All hotels are running on 100 percent occupancy. Almost all hotels are fully booked till January 31,” said a hotel owner in Gulmarg.
The rush was also evident at the Gulmarg Gondola, one of Asia’s highest cable car projects, where long queues of tourists were seen waiting patiently for their turn to enjoy the ride amid snow-clad surroundings.
“On Monday and Tuesday, around 15,000 tourists enjoyed the Gandola ride. All the hotels are fully occupied, and bookings are up to more than January,” Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), Tariq Ahmad said.
Tourists visiting the resort expressed excitement at witnessing Gulmarg in its winter glory.
“We came here specially to see how Gulmarg looks during snowfall. It is truly a lifetime experience,” said Ashish, a visiting tourist. “The pollution-free environment, scenic beauty, and snow-covered peaks are exactly what we were looking for, and Gulmarg offered all of it.”
Local stakeholders believe the renewed rush marks a strong comeback for winter tourism in Gulmarg after a slow start this season.
However, they urged the administration to strengthen traffic management, parking facilities, and public amenities to ensure a smooth experience for visitors in the coming weeks.
With peak winter still ahead, tourism players remain hopeful that Gulmarg will continue to draw large numbers of visitors, reaffirming its status as Kashmir’s premier winter destination.
“The forecast of more snowfall and upcoming winter games events is likely to further boost the tourist footfall,” said Adil Ahmad, a local shopkeeper.