Snow lifts spirits of Kashmir tourism players

The delayed snowfall in the Valley has brought some cheer on the faces of tourism players hoping it may give some thrust to the tourist arrivals to Kashmir.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club, Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya said the snow has broken the jinx for tourism sector in Kashmir.
He said the famous ski-resort Gulmarg known for hosting winter and adventure sports this season had failed to attract backpackers due to less snow. “Tourism players suffered a lot in September floods and in its aftermath. Tourism has not picked since then. No snow in January aggrieved our problems. But now the snow has come a bliss for this sector,” Chaya added.
President, KHARA, Showkat Chowdhary said snow was much needed for the tourism industry particularly for hoteliers.
Chairman, IATO- JK Chapter, Abdul Khaliq Wangnoo echoed similar views stating that snowfall in Kashmir would attract tourists.
“We were praying for snow as lots of groups of adventure loving tourists visit Kashmir during winter months particularly at the time of snow to enjoy skiing and adventure sports,” he said.
The devastating flood that hit Kashmir early September this year has sent the Valley’s tourism sector into the worst kind of depression with arrivals coming down to the lowest ebb.