Srinagar Hotels: The roadmap ahead
After an unfortunately poor performance for close to 20 years, Jammu & Kashmir has just got busier. The tourism industry has revived so vigorously in the state that from locals to industry watchers, everyone is stumped.
With
ever-increasing footfalls to the state, Srinagar hotels have geared up to promote the destination.
This year, Jammu & Kashmir is expecting to host more than two million tourists, beating last year’s record. In 2011, more than 1.3 million tourists visited Kashmir valley excluding the mammoth 6.33 lakh pilgrims who visited the Amarnath shrine. The rush is increasing with each passing day and hotels are running to full capacity.
Hotels are also not lagging behind when it comes to promote the USP of the destination. Srinagar, the gateway to the entire region has hotels that have geared up to promote the cause of J&K. The Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar, recently celebrated its centennial anniversary. Earlier known as Gulab Bhawan, the histori-
Till date, our hotel has not been shut even for a day
cal palace is a landmark of Srinagar which was bought by The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group in 1998. Highlighting its historical significance and
Destination weddings are now picking up in Srinagar
how The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group has been successfully running and operating The Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar from the past 13 years, Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson & Managing Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group said, “The hotel has not been shut even for a single day irrespective of the conditions that prevailed in the valley.” Continuing the efforts to promote tourism not just in Srinagar but in the state of J&K, the group hosts The Lalit Suri Polo at the Viswanathan Stadium in Drass and Shikarathon in the Dal Lake annually.
Amit Amla, Director, Hotel Broadway pointed out that destination weddings are now picking up in Srinagar. The hotel during April- July period was choc-a-bloc. Currently, it is doing an occupancy of 75-80 per cent, Amla informed. The 41-year old property is undergoing renovation despite of being a running hotel. “The renovation is an ongoing process and will take about two years to complete,” he added.