Srinagar, May 11: With Valley getting heavy influx of tourists this season, hotel occupancy rate has notched up by several points in Kashmir as compared to last year.
 President, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF), Faiz Ahmad Bakshi said: “Occupancy in hotels is very good this year as compared to previous years. And we are hopeful that in coming day it will peak up.”
 Bakshi said: “At present occupancy rate stands at 80 per cent and from May 10 to June 1 it is expected to reach 100 percent. As during these days vacations in other parts start and number of tourists visiting Kashmir also increases.”
 Hotelier and former president, Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Association (KHARA), Siraj Ahmad said: “So far most of the hotels and guesthouses are occupied with tourists and in coming days rush is likely to go up.”
 Siraj said: “We are hopeful that the situation will remain pleasant and tourists visiting Kashmir will increase manifold.”
 However, some hoteliers said the occupancy rate was same as it was last year. Convener, Hoteliers’ Club, Tariq Rashid said: “There is no further improvement in the occupancy rate this year. It by and large continues to be same as it was last year. But we are hopeful that in coming days it may go up.” 
 Not only hoteliers, the Travel Agents also expressed their happiness over huge rush of tourists visiting to the Valley.
 President, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), Rauf  Tramboo said there is almost 100 percent hotel booking.
 “Our hotels are fully occupied and we are receiving number of queries these days from tourists regarding bookings,” Tramboo said, adding that there is shortage of hotels and guesthouses.
 “Government should remove security forces from the hotels they have been in for a long time now in order to provide lodging facilities to visitors,” the hoteliers said.
 Chairman, Houseboat Owners Association (HBOA), Muhammad Azim Tuman said: “Occupancy rate in houseboats is around 95 per cent and we are hopeful to reach to its maximum limit in coming days.”

Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 May 2012 00:00:00 IST