State tourism officials claim, Kashmir may soon become the hub of tourists spot thanks to the heavy inflow of holidayers from all over the country.

``Kashmir looks like a mini-India at present with people from all over wallowing in the natural splendour of the valley,'' the officials said.

``Smile is back on the faces of the locals connected to the tourism industry which is fast coming out of the shadow of about a decade-long terrorist violence,'' they said adding, ``Gone are the days when there was a militant under every bush in the valley.''

``Pakistan-sponsored militancy kept us away from Kashmir for ten long years but the situation has changed and it is time to visit Kashmir again and enjoy salubrious weather rather then experiencing the sultry city heat,'' observed Ram Narayan, a tourist from Coimbatore.

A YBelaroa's family is happy to have escaped from the grueling heat in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. ``We feel relaxed here. Climate is good and above all there is no heat wave,'' said Belaroa's wife Anita wearing a traditional Kashmiri dress.

A bank employee Vijay Shah, also from Jalgoan who came here only for a short holiday fearing terrorism has decided to extend his stay after seeing what Kashmir looks like.

``We came here for a short holiday with a bit of fear that we may become the target of militants here. But I find the situation is as good as in any part of the country,'' he said.

Ugash, a second year student, who was among the 50-odd, first time visitors from Guajarat, said, the group had come to Pahalgam directly from Jammu but visited Kashmir only after much deliberation.