SRINAGAR - Global recession has failed to affect Kashmir’s tourism industry as more and more tourists continue to throng the valley.

According to the players in the tourism industry, many domestic tourists have already cancelled their tours to European countries and are coming to Kashmir valley. This has helped to increase the number of footfalls in Kashmir.

Even Farooq Shah, director of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir agrees that recession has failed to affect tourism industry in the valley.

“Till now, we have received good response and recession doesn’t have a major impact on tourism. Recession has an affect throughout the world and high spending people naturally, they don’t move out. But, we are receiving a good response. This good response will continue in future too with no affect of recession on our state,” saidarooq Shah.

In a situation when global recession has forced many tourists to cancel their trips, affordable hotels and transportation in Kashmir compared to other destination have increased the number of tourists visiting the valley.

“There is a lot of global recession which is going in other countries. But Jammu and Kashmir as such is very economical. We have been able to find out good economical hotels with good service in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Shashank Kumar, a tourist.

Kashmir tourism had received a severe blow last year with the Amarnath land agitation bringing down the number of tourists. By Parvez Butt (ANI)