Back to back Lockdown effects on tourism in Sonmarg

Sonmarg, a well-known tourist destination in the Kashmir Valley, is witnessing less tourist footfall due to covid restrictions across the valley.

Kashmir: Sonmarg, a well-known tourist destination in the Kashmir Valley, has been facing desolation for the last two years due to COVID restrictions across the nation.

The covid imposed lockdown across the valley has badly affected Hotel owners, traders, horsemen, labourers and transporters working there.

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Talking to the correspondent, the hotel owners of Sonmarg said that the hotels witnessed a good number of tourist footfall prior to August 5, 2019, but after the abrogation of article 370, there has been a decline.

He added that in 2020 when we were again expecting a good inflow of tourists, restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic dealt a big blow.

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Hoteliers said since the last two years they have not been paid electricity and water bills due to financial crisis.

They added that there has been little improvement in tourism in Kashmir for the past few months but all the advantages went into the pocket of Gulmarg. And the Sonmarg is still closed as it received heavy snowfall recently.