Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Apr 24 : Asia’s largest Tulip Garden, nestled in the picturesque city of Srinagar, has experienced an extraordinary surge in tourism this year, with a staggering 4.45 lakh visitors flocking to witness its vibrant blooms, including approx 2,000 from foreign shores.
The garden, home to an impressive array of 73 tulip varieties, officially reopened its gates on March 23, marking the beginning of a 33-day extravaganza that surpassed all previous records in terms of visitor numbers.
Officials overseeing the garden’s operations informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that there had been a daily influx of 10,000 to 15,000 tourists.
“This remarkable surge in tourism represents a significant milestone in the sector’s recovery journey, particularly in the wake of the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021,” an official said, adding that last year, the garden welcomed 2.3 lakh visitors, making this season’s footfall an impressive leap forward.
As the Tulip Bloom season draws to a close, the management closed the garden to the public on April 24. This move by the Tulip Committee and the Director of Floriculture Kashmir aims to provide the garden with an opportunity to recuperate after hosting an overwhelming number of tourists this year.
The closure signifies the end of yet another successful chapter in the Tulip Garden’s legacy, reaffirming its status as a beacon of natural beauty and a must-visit destination for travellers from across the globe, the official said.
They anticipate that the next season will be even more enchanting.
The garden played an important part in wooing tourists during the 2022 spring, particularly after the Covid disruptions in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the garden witnessed 2.3 lakh visitors.
Last year, it attracted over 3.65 lakh visitors, including both domestic and foreign tourists, while in 2022, it saw a footfall of 3.6 lakh people.
