Kashmir in its reality

During many years,

Kashmir went through difficult political problems and a relative insecurity.

Relative because we were there, we were flying, and we never had the least menace.

Nowadays the situation is very much stabilized

which explains the massive return of domestic and foreign tourism.

Seven private airlines are now flying to Srinagar on a daily basis.

Srinagar airport has turned into an international airport,

receiving direct flights from Dubai.

Direct flights from Europe are being negotiated.

The fact that Indians from Southern and Northern India

have made a massive comeback to Kashmir is a sufficient demonstration

in itself of the security which reigns in the State.

Indians were the first targets during the problems.

It is therefore a pity that some Foreign Offices and Embassies,

like the American ones, strongly advise their nationals against going to Kashmir.

However there were more than 300 American skiers in Gulmarg

(the ski resort located at 2 hours from Srinagar)

the last winter, and the ski patrol is mostly composed of Americans…

There will always be incidents on the Kashmiri border,

and even some punctual demonstration against the central forces and/or police.

The matter being what will the media do out of it

and the negative impact it can create, leading to a psychosis which has no ground.

To be noted:

Kashmir was removed from all the tour operators’ brochures since the last 20 years.

This is over. In their 2011 brochures, most of the leading tour operators such as

Explorer, Terre d’Aventures, Kuoni,

are now again presenting Kashmir as a prestigious destination

for touring, trekking, skiing and mountaineering.

The road linking Srinagar to Pakistan,

which was closed for the last 30 years,

is opened for the local of both countries, and so since 2007.

The inauguration in June of another 5* hotel managed by the Taj Group,

one of the most prestigious in India, and the opening in Gulmarg,

for the winter 2010/2011 of 3 hotels of high standing.

The article in the l’Express Magazine (19th of May 2010), entitled:

“Kashmir: the Gods’ Valley”. (Next page)