SRINAGAR: The Gulmarg Gondola is soaring to new heights, both in revenue and the number of tourists it serves.
In the past year, a staggering one million tourists (10,13,458) experienced the Gondola rides, contributing to the J&K Cable Car Corporation’s revenue surpassing Rs 108 crore in the last calendar year. This marks a significant increase from the previous year’s figures (2022), where revenue was Rs 91 crore, and tourist rides totalled 8.50 lakh.
The J&K Cable Car Corporation oversees the operations of the Gulmarg Gondola, renowned as the flagship attraction of Kashmir tourism. As India’s most popular ropeway, it stands as Asia’s highest-operating cable car at an elevation of 14,000 ft.
Beyond the enhanced revenue and visitor numbers, the Corporation has made strides in service delivery. Improvements in the ticket issuing process, safety tests, and the incorporation of the latest technology in the second phase of the Gondola have been implemented over the past year.
Tourists sharing their experiences after Gondola rides have expressed admiration. “It was an amazing ride. The bookings were seamless. I invite people from all across to enjoy the experiences of Gulmarg Gondola,” said Akshay from London, currently on vacation in Gulmarg. Another tourist couple, Shubham and Ajat, visiting Gulmarg for the first time, were fascinated by the arrangements and sanitation at both phases of the Gulmarg Gondola. Similar sentiments were echoed by a family from Delhi.
“The people of Gondola are so friendly. My daughter fell cold, and these people helped her with everything they could,” said a tourist from Vietnam, Kentran, expressing a desire to revisit the place.
Raja Yaqoob, Managing Director of J&K Cable Car Corporation, urges tourists to opt for online ticket purchases for their convenience, and time-saving, and to prevent potential black marketing by touts. The Corporation is dedicated to enhancing the tourist experience by providing easy, hassle-free, and secure rides.
Yaqoob assures even better facilities in the future and advises tourists to adhere to the ticket timings to avoid inconvenience. He emphasizes that tourist feedback is taken seriously, and necessary improvements in customer services are underway.
It is worth mentioning that the Gulmarg Cable Car consists of two phases, one from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdori valley and the second from Kongdori to Apharwath Peak. (KNO)
