Raja Syed Rather
Sonamarg, the picturesque hill station in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district has witnessed a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals in the first two months of 2025. A total of 1,33,854 visitors explored the snow-clad beauty of Sonamarg between January 1 and March 10, marking a strong revival in the region’s tourism sector.
January alone saw 55,934 tourists, including 1,114 foreign and an equal number of domestic travellers. The momentum continued in February, with 57,186 visitors, including 2,019 foreign travellers and 1,565 locals. In just the first 10 days of March, 20,734 tourists flocked to Sonamarg.
By comparison, Sonamarg welcomed nearly 8 lakh tourists in all of 2024. These early numbers indicate an excellent start to the year, especially considering the traditionally challenging winter months that kept the area largely inaccessible in previous years.
The surge in visitors is due to the Sonamarg tunnel, which has made the region accessible year-round. Previously, heavy snowfall would isolate the area for months, but now, uninterrupted access is drawing more tourists, benefiting hoteliers, travel agents, and local businesses.
This increase in tourist activity is seen as a hopeful sign not only for Sonamarg but for the wider revival of winter tourism across Kashmir. As infrastructure improves and travel becomes easier, experts predict a sustained boost to the region’s economy and the tourism sector in the coming years.
Sonamarg Development Authority CEO Gh Mohd Bhat told, “Sonamarg has immense natural potential with its snow-covered mountains, and the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel this year has brought significant benefits to both locals and hoteliers.”
“We are optimistic that this year will break all previous records in terms of tourist arrivals. All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth experience for visitors. We are also working on several future projects to further develop Sonamarg as a premier tourist destination,” he added.
