Bengalis, who contribute around 30% to Kashmir's tourism, accounted for 85% of the cancellations after Pahalgam attack
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Bengalis are known for their love for travel and contribute to around 25-30% to Kashmir's tourism. However, the terror attack in Pahalgam has led to a barrage of cancellations (almost 85%), claim Travel Agents' Federation of India (TAFI) and tour operators in Bengal.The terror attack has sent shockwaves across Bengal's tourism sector as far as Kashmir is concerned, which has been a major tourist attraction in the last few years. Experts believe that the number of international tourists visiting India will also be impacted as two foreigners were killed in Kashmir's Baisaran Valley.TAFI estimates that the total percentage of tourists from Bengal who visit Kashmir has been around 25-30%. But now, the cancellations have touched 80-85%.'The impact of the terror attack on tourism is huge. People never thought that a lay man or tourist could be killed while he was on a holiday. You go there and return in a coffin. Till the time the government takes action, tourists will be apprehensive about travelling to destinations like Kashmir,' Anil Punjabi, a national committee member of the TAFI, told ET.'Around 80-85% bookings to Kashmir have been cancelled. Only 15% are on hold. When things are peaceful, you go on holidays. Offline agents will not recommend Kashmir unless there is security for the travellers,' Punjabi said.The sentiment remains the same across the country. 'The worst part is that two foreigners have died. Outside India, they are showcasing terror in India. They don't know Kashmir, but India. The entire India is projected as negative for travelling. We will not get foreign tourists and there will be currency loss as well," Punjabi told ET.Kashmir had returned to normal and post-pandemic, tourism had seen a surge.Akash Kundu, owner of Kolkata-based Explore India travel agency, told ET, that the demand has been so big that bookings for 2026 January and February were full and multiple trips had already been booked.'We were unable to accommodate people. The same happened in February this year. From May till August, during the peak season, the bookings were choc-a-bloc. Now, there are cancellations but also requests for rerouting to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and other destinations. Today only, we have received such requests. We will not recommend Kashmir due to the safety of tourists. We are suggesting alternative tourist destinations such as Himachal Pradesh, Spiti or Ladakh.'Kundu said the fear factor is high. 'However, some have reached Kashmir and want to complete the trip, but want to avoid Pahalgam. Some have gone to Sonmarg and Gulmarg today. We have a group from Kharagpur who are in Kashmir now. We have removed Pahalgam from their itinerary and the expenditure will be deducted and refunded. We are in constant contact with the groups in Kashmir," he said.
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