TRUST ME, IT IS ABSOLUTELY SAFE TO TRAVEL TO KASHMIR:

 Many people question when they`re told about taking a trip to Kashmir? Isn`t it unsafe to travel to Kashmir? The question reverberates in my mind as I write the blog? To travel is to connect with people, nature, and the culture of different regions, which is an exhilarating experience. If security is a concern, the conviction to not visit such a place is a reasonable response from any traveler. People dare not step out and see the market if the atmosphere outside is not conducive to peace, leave alone visiting Kashmir.

Isn`t it unsafe to travel to Kashmir?:

There is no reason to say that your reservations about the Kashmir visit are unfound or baseless. But then you`ve to think and ponder the issue with an open mind and ask yourself if it is fear, prejudice, or influence of newsroom rhetoric and diatribe against Kashmir.

Traveling, of course, is there to help you shun prejudice and see how Kashmir is to its guests? Kashmir, believe me, you`ll come to understand, is an unquestionably safe place to travel. If Kashmir isn`t safe, no place is.

Here is Why Tourists Hesitate to Trip to Kashmir:

he people of Kashmir are cordial and friendly and care tremendously for their guests. If you could research Kashmir and its treatment of visitors, it would surprise you to see plenty of news reports covering the stories of people of Kashmir helping visitors during crisis situations.

Given the political turmoil in Kashmir, tourists often hesitate to take a trip to Kashmir. Their reservations come to play, and they abandon the Kashmir visit altogether. There are many reasons why tourists fear visiting Kashmir.

Sun doesn`t go down in Kashmir without seeing the bloodshed on its streets, and it is heartbreaking and ironic, too, to know a place like Kashmir seething in violence. With a decrease in violence, there is a concomitant increase in the number of tourists visiting Kashmir. But as

Clashes vs. Tourism in Kashmir:

There is a consensus among people who have visited and continue to visit Kashmir that violence is not against tourists. At times of violent clashes, tourists have always been offered safety and other basic amenities in case there is a shortage of food supply in the market due to a shutdown. Anger, violence, and sloganeering you see on the streets is a political issue and has never been used against tourists. There might be some cases of manhandling and mistreatment of visitors, but miscreants are everywhere, aren`t they?

Tourism Scene in Kashmir in 2019:

The dreadful time of escalated tension between India and Pakistan is over. As peace has its slow return to the valley, so has tourism. It is not of the same scale, but visitors who come here go back as ambassadors of tourism in Kashmir as they share their experiences back home of Kashmir. Tourists are happy with the security arrangement, and the tourism department has done a commendable job developing tourist attractions in Kashmir.

For a genuine appreciation of tourism in Kashmir and whether you should visit Kashmir or not, to find answers to such questions, you need to see the ground reality separately from the media projection of the Kashmir issue. The media paints Kashmir in gruesome colors and renders its painting as scary as possible, and believe me, the reality is different.

Kashmir has always been more than a mere place:

Kashmiri separatism and everything related to it is not against tourists, be they from India or other countries; whatever is happening is between India and Kashmir, and its legitimacy is for leaders to decide, not you and me as tourists. Kashmir is renowned for its hospitality and respect for tourists, and you should build your opinion on that, and indeed, you won`t regret visiting Kashmir.

Tourism in Kashmir, it is the Best Time to Visit Kashmir:

Pay no heed to the rumors surrounding Kashmir. It is perfectly safe for tourists. Staying away and abandoning the Kashmir visit will only do you a little good. Instead, you`re likely to miss the lifetime experience of enjoying the majestic and picturesque views of Kashmir!

Be it a Gondola Ride in Gulmarg, adventure sports and trekking in Sonmarg, sightseeing in Pahalgam, shikhara ride in Srinagar, you`ll miss it all. An evening walk along the banks of Dal Lake and a boat ride to Char Chinar and Dal Lake itself are going nowhere, but I might not be here tomorrow. Take that first step and come out of the entangled web of prejudice. You`ll understand the actual value of traveling, which is, out of many things, to experience reality as it is on the ground level, not what others want us to believe it is.

Kashmir Tourism Overview:

In terms of beauty, Kashmir is unparalleled. Be it the serenity of the famous Dal Lake or the grandeur of Mughal Gardens, Kashmir`s most famous attraction, Srinagar, has everything to get you to visit Kashmir. Since it is summer in the sub-continent, why not take a shikhara ride on the pristine waters of Kashmir and feel the cool gushes of breeze on your face as you drift along the rivers and lakes.

Romance is in the air of Kashmir. With its abundant natural beauty, stunning views, photogenic landscape, and tranquil atmosphere, it has long been the charmer of many hearts, especially newlyweds. As you stroll through the charming Pahalgam, its green landscape with snow-capped mountains leaves you spellbound. For adventure lovers, the Lidder River flowing through Pahalgam offers the best river rafting experience.