These are signs of changed times in the Valley. For the first time in 14 years, tourist arrivals have crossed the ‘‘magical’’ one lakh mark, as 2,000 holiday-makers troop into Kashmir each day. Overwhelmed by the numbers, authorities are asking security forces to vacate the hotels they have occupied for over a decade.In the last three months around 98,000 tourists have visited the Valley, while in the same period last year the Valley hosted just 10,970 tourists. The inflow that started in April when it was pegged at 4451, shot up in May when 19,228 holiday-makers streamed into Srinagar. The figure more than doubled in June to 51,096 tourists.Commissioner Secretary, Tourism Najam-u-Saqib said: ‘‘Around 27,000 tourists have come in the first 17 days of July. Hotels in the city and other parts of Kashmir are reporting 100 per cent occupancy. This has had a good impact as we receive calls from corporate houses and from the High Commissions inquiring about the scene here.’’Foreign tourists too are coming in droves after a long hiatus with this year recording the arrival of 3,348 holiday-makers as opposed to 1,343 tourists last year. Moreover, the figure of one lakh tourists doesn’t include 75,000 Amarnath pilgrims.To further lure tourists, the Tourism Department is hosting a golfing event in the Royal Springs Golf Course on the banks of Dal Lake from July 23 to 27. With top ranking golfers expected to participate, RSGC would have the distinction of hosting the first tournament in the Indian circuit called the Hero Honda Golf Circuit. ‘‘The circuit consists of 24 tournaments which would be played in Nepal, and Bangladesh and maybe Sri Lanka too could be included. The prize money would be Rs 18 lakh which would be the second highest money in the entire circuit. Normally it’s Rs 5 to 10 lakh.’’ said Saqib, speaking to media persons at RSGC.
