Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Yaqoob, on Saturday said that changing weather patterns have not had any impact on tourist footfall in Kashmir.
Talking to reporters here the Director Tourism said, “Less snowfall and changing weather patterns did not prevent the tourists from visiting Kashmir. Hotels witnessed full occupancy in winter season.”
He said that due to hotels remaining full the Tourism Department had to struggle to arrange accommodations for Khelo India Winter Games participants.
“At present also the hotels in Gulmarg are witnessing 100 per cent occupancy while in Pahalgam, which is otherwise a summer destination, are witnessing 70 to 80 per cent occupancy. The room occupancy has tripled in the last few years,” he said .
Yaqoob said, “Kashmir is known for its natural beauty worldwide and the ongoing plantation drives are important for preserving its picturesque landscape.”
Urging people to take care of their surroundings, the Director Tourism said, “The plants and trees are important for the climate as well. At present we are witnessing delayed winters due to uprooting of trees. The plantation drives have become imperative for human survival.”—(KNO)
