Thaw in war but not travel: Tourists skip Himalayan belt, take south dive for holidays
Lucknow: After the recent war-like atmosphere along the India-Pakistan border, travel patterns are witnessing a shift this vacation season. Tourists are staying away from the Himalayan belt, including Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
In contrast, southern destinations such as Munnar, Ooty, and Wayanad, as well as the scenic Kerala backwaters, are gaining popularity. Island getaways like Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are also witnessing a significant surge in tourist bookings. Tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack has resulted in a surge of cancellations and a marked drop in bookings across Himachal's popular destinations, including Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala. A managing director in a destination management company, Fuzail Ahmad, said, "There is a sharp drop in bookings after the recent border tensions. Many tourists cancelled their trips to the Himalayan destinations like Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. However, a number of travellers are now turning to popular South Indian spots like Munnar, Ooty and Wayanad, which are being seen as a safer option this vacation season."Gaurav Sharma, a Lucknow-based travel operator, said, "We've seen at least a 30–40% rise in inquiries for South Indian destinations in the last two weeks. Tourists are not willing to take chances with regions they perceive as unstable, even if those areas are actually safe. Perception is playing a big role this season."Ashwini Nagar, 39, a manager in a private firm, stated, "We were planning a family trip to Himachal in the upcoming vacation. But due to cross-border tension, we are dropping the plans."Rajveer Sonkar, 46, a businessman from Lucknow, said, "We only get time during this season as the schools of our children close for summer vacation, and my business also slows down. We planned our vacation in Kashmir this time, which we are shifting to Munnar now."Many tourists have cancelled their vacation plans altogether, citing safety concerns and uncertainty following the recent tensions.With the peak summer travel season underway, tourism stakeholders in the north are hoping for improved conditions, while southern states are preparing to welcome a larger share of holidaymakers.
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