War clouds hit Raj tourism as booking cancellations begin
1
2
Jaipur: The
Pahalgam terrorist attack
and Operation Sindoor have impacted the tourism industry where it hurts the most. Cancellations of bookings for the upcoming tourist season have already started, making the industry apprehensive of foreign tourists skipping the state, especially destinations in border areas.
It took almost four years to overcome the Covid impact on overseas travel movement, with
foreign tourist arrivals
crossing the levels of 2019 in 2024. However, the possibility of a military confrontation with Pak and the insecure atmosphere of the fallout increased uncertainty among tourists.
Surendra Singh Shahpura, senior vice president of Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR), said, "Even a single skirmish often leads to weeks or months of 'avoid travel' advisories from embassies.
For luxury travellers from Europe, US, and Australia, Rajasthan is seen as a leisure destination. Any perception of war, even hundreds of kilometres away, triggers mass cancellations."
He mentioned that many tour operators are delaying bookings for the coming season. "Border towns like Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Barmer are geographically close to any
Indo-Pak conflict
escalation zone. These are not just military-sensitive zones but also tourism hubs."
Ranvijay Singh Rathore, senior vice president of Hotel Federation of Rajasthan (HFR), said tourism is not just seasonal; rather, it is sensitive to perception, peace, and political stability.
"The recent five-day Indo-Pak conflict erased an entire upcoming tourism season for several regions. Not just a few cancellations or reschedules, but a complete halt in forward bookings. It shook confidence and disrupted travel sentiment," he said, adding that while other industries may see gradual slowdowns during crises, tourism sees overnight collapses. "A negative news cycle or even a sensationalised media narrative can undo months of marketing efforts in a matter of hours," he said.
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