Kashmir is abuzz with tourists, flight rates at all time high

SRINAGAR: Kashmir valley is abuzz these days with tourist arrivals, air tickets to the valley are at an all time high and hotel industry is jostling to accommodate bookings, a phenomenon witnessed after a gap of nearly two decades.
    
The hectic tourism schedule for this 'Paradise on Earth' can be gauged from the fact that prices of even low cost carriers are touching skies.
    
'Go Air' flight from Delhi to Srinagar is costing close to whopping Rs 11,000, subject to cancellation. The scene in 'Air Deccan' is no better as no tickets are available for next three days. The tickets for May 18 flight are available at Rs 7,000.
     
Meanwhile, the heavy rush during the school-holiday season has also highlighted the lack of space in the state in the face of high demand. With tourists arriving everyday, hotels in Srinagar and other resorts like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are facing room crunch.
    
"We do not have enough rooms to accommodate every body. My three houseboats are fully booked till August at the moment," Abdul Salam, a houseboat owner in the Dal lake said.
    
Salam is also facing a peculiar situation this summer wherein he had to reject requests of extended stays by tourists, something he has not done in the last couple of years.
    
Meanwhile, the taxi operators in Jammu and Srinagar are making the proverbial hay while the sun shines after witnessing a 'lean winter'.