Srinagar- Kashmir ranks sixth among the most sought-after travel destinations in 2023, according to Google’s compilation of the top 10 searched destinations by Indian users.
According to Google, the other destinations that garnered the most searches from internet users include Vietnam, Goa, Bali, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Coorg, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Italy. Google Trends is a powerful tool that analyzes a sample of Google web searches to provide insights into the relative popularity of search terms over a specific period. It offers a valuable snapshot of the collective interests and search behaviors of users.
Kashmir continues to be a premier choice for travelers, witnessing a remarkable surge with two crore tourists arriving up to November this year. Union Tourism Minister G. Kishen Reddy disclosed in Parliament that for the first time since India’s Independence, Jammu and Kashmir has experienced a record-breaking influx of tourists, including foreigners.
The minister had anticipated a further rise in these numbers by the end of December. Highlighting the tourism boom, he noted a significant 155% increase in overall tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to both 2021 and 2022. “85 lakh foreign tourists visited India this year so far,” he said.
Reports also reveal that the hosting of the G20 meeting in Srinagar, especially the third tourism working group meeting, appears to have played a pivotal role in boosting foreign tourist attraction to the region. At the meeting, the Ministry of Tourism and the J&K administration pushed for the revival of not only tourism but also film making.
According to the J&K Tourism department, the government has promoted as many as 75 offbeat destinations in the UT, including Bhaderwah, Doodhpathri, Yousmarg, Verinag, Lolab, Bangus and Basholi.
Notably, this winter, tourists are flocking to the valley to celebrate Christmas and New Year. Hotels in the popular destinations like Pahalgam and Sonamarg fully booked, particularly in anticipation of snowfall. Moreover, the government is all set to introduce ice-skating for the first time at Sonamarg in Ganderbal district this winter.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
