Tourist Footfall in Sonamarg Exceeds 4.17 Lakh Till November
Special winter events, adventure activities planned to attract more tourists
Srinagar: Sonamarg, a major tourist destination in Kashmir, recorded a total of 417,091 tourists from January to November 2025, showing steady growth and consistent interest across seasons, official data reveals.
According to figures from the Tourist Police Post Sonamarg, the resort experienced a continuous influx of domestic, foreign, and local tourists throughout the year.
In January, around 55,934 tourists visited, including 53,676 domestic visitors, 1,114 foreigners, and 1,144 locals. February saw a slight increase with a total of 57,186 tourists—55,114 domestic, 2,019 foreigners, and 1,565 local visitors. March’s footfall reached nearly 63,000 with 59,084 domestic tourists, 1,120 foreigners, and 2,749 locals.
April experienced the highest footfall of the year, with over 72,722 visitors—67,229 domestic, 1,434 foreigners, and 4,059 locals. May, however, saw a decline, with just over 21,573 tourists—17,083 domestic, 486 foreigners, and 4,004 locals.
June’s figures rose again to nearly 48,139, with 33,692 domestic, 281 foreigners, and 14,166 locals. July recorded close to 39,605 visitors—25,281 domestic, 159 foreigners, and 14,165 locals. August saw a decrease to roughly 32,139, including 12,124 domestic, 304 foreigners, and 19,711 locals.
September’s numbers fell further to approximately 25,264, with nearly 6,945 domestic, 422 foreigners, and 17,897 locals. October recorded around 14,536 visitors—8,389 domestic, 391 foreigners, and 5,756 locals. November’s footfall was just over 18,070, including 13,527 domestic, 459 foreigners, and 4,084 locals.
Officials said, that April marked the peak of tourist visits, coinciding with the spring tourism rush, while summer months remained busy due to local and domestic travellers. Despite the seasonal slowdown in autumn, tourist arrivals remained steady into November.
President of the Beopar Mandal Association Sonamarg, Furkan Ahmad, said, “Tourism plays a vital role in Sonamarg’s economy. The rising number of visitors has positively impacted hotels, transporters, and local traders, strengthening the overall market.”
The recent snowfall has led to a noticeable increase in tourist arrivals. To promote winter tourism, the Department of Tourism has organised comprehensive arrangements, including adventure activities such as skiing and ice skating.
“Special programmes and winter sports events are scheduled for December 31 to provide visitors with a memorable experience,” Basharat Hussain, a tourist officer, said—(KNO)
After brief respite, mercury drops below freezing point in Kashmir
Srinagar: Cold conditions returned to Kashmir after a brief respite, with minimum temperatures dropping several degrees to settle below the freezing point owing to clear night skies, officials said on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the cold conditions eased in Kashmir due to overcast night skies after snowfall and rain.
That changed on Wednesday night, with weather stations across Kashmir recording sub-zero temperatures.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, a drop of 5 notches from 3 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night, the officials said.
Central Kashmir’s tourist resort of Sonamarg was the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir with a low of minus 7.3 degrees Celsius.
The resort, along with other higher reaches, received snowfall on Sunday and Monday.
North Kashmir’s ski resort of Gulmarg was the second coldest place at minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, followed by south Kashmir’s Pahalgam at minus 4.4 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius, Kokernag minus 0.7 degrees Celsius and Kupwara minus 2 degrees Celsius — a drop of four notches from Tuesday night.
The Meteorological Department has forecast generally dry weather in Kashmir till December 28. Spells of wet weather are likely around New Year’s Eve.
Light snow at isolated higher reaches is likely on December 29. There is a possibility of light rain in the plains and light snow in the higher reaches from December 30 to January 1, the weather office said. (PTI)
