Srinagar, Sep 5: A couple from Kerala, visiting Kashmir for the first time, expressed admiration for the Valley’s breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality and friendly people, saying their experience had exceeded their expectations.
The couple, who arrived in Srinagar around three to four days ago, said they had been exploring different tourist destinations across Kashmir and were particularly impressed by the natural beauty of Gulmarg and the hospitality extended to them by locals.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, the 43-year-old visitor said it was his first visit to Kashmir, adding that he had long wanted to explore the Valley but could not do so during his student years.
“I am 43 years old, and this is the first time I am visiting Kashmir. I have a bit of a guilty feeling that I could not visit Kashmir earlier when I was studying, but now I am very glad that I finally got the opportunity,” he said.
Recalling their experience over the past few days, he said the couple had visited local places in and around Srinagar before spending an entire day in Gulmarg.
“We went to Gulmarg yesterday and spent the whole day there. It was a beautiful place. We are enjoying the scenery, taking photographs and making a lot of memories,” he said.
The visitor also praised Kashmiri cuisine, saying they had the opportunity to taste authentic local food during their stay.
“We had some good authentic Kashmiri food last night. It was really nice. The place is very beautiful, the food is good and the people are very nice,” he said.
The couple said they were also impressed by the behaviour of locals, particularly the friendly and understanding nature of people they encountered during their journey.
Asked about their experience with local residents, the visitor said, “I felt people here are very friendly. Even though the traffic can be very heavy and there can be blocks, people understand each other and there was no problem at all. I would say people here are friendlier than I expected, and that was really good.”
He said the couple had stayed at different accommodations during their trip and found the staff and people welcoming at every place they visited.
“We stayed in a few accommodations, but everywhere we went, people were very friendly and welcoming. Kashmiri people are really nice,” he said.
The visitor said much of what he had previously seen about Kashmir was through films and videos, but visiting the Valley in person had given him a completely different perspective.
“I had only seen Kashmiri people, the valleys and the beauty of Kashmir in movies, but this place is really beautiful and the people here are so friendly,” he said.
The couple also highlighted the potential for attracting more tourists from southern parts of the country, saying greater promotion through social media and other platforms could help people discover Kashmir’s beauty.
“This is a very beautiful tourist place. To attract more tourists, there should perhaps be more advertisement and promotion through social media. Some people, particularly from the southern parts of India, may not know much about Kashmir or realise that it is such a beautiful place,” he said.
“If that message and information reaches more people, it can attract more tourists and also generate good income for the state,” he added.
During their visit, the couple planned to explore more destinations, including Sonamarg and Zojila Pass, while making the most of their limited time in the Valley.
The visitor said the trip had already filled their phones with photographs and videos, which they planned to share with their family after returning home.
“We have loaded our phones with memories. There are so many photographs and videos that we can share with our family,” he said.
The couple also urged Kashmiris to continue maintaining the same warmth and friendliness towards visitors.
“My message is simply to stay like this—very friendly and welcoming,” he said.
