Tourism thrives in Ladakh as Valley loses its peak season to unrest

As tourism activities have come to a halt in the Kashmir valley, there has been an increase in footfall in the Ladakh region.
Ladakh has received a record number of tourists this year and the Tourism Department is looking forward to woo more visitors to the region through the annual Leh Festival that will begin on September 20 (Tuesday).
“Ladakh has already received more than two lakh tourists this year. This is the highest number ever to have visited the region by this time of the year. We are expecting more tourist arrivals as the annual Leh Festival will be held from September 20 to 23,” said Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director, Tourism, Kashmir. He said the festival would showcase the rich heritage and culture of Ladakh and would further boost the inflow of tourists to the region.
The tourism sector continues to suffer in the Valley. The ongoing Kashmir unrest, which entered its 72nd day today, had started at a time when the tourism season was peaking in the Valley. An official of the Tourism Department said they were making efforts to promote all three regions of the state in travel and trade fairs and other tourism related events outside Jammu and Kashmir.