logo
Pahalgam attack: Kashmir's tourism industry fears setback, vows to recover

Pahalgam attack: Kashmir's tourism industry fears setback, vows to recover

NEW DELHI:
But, they vowed to continue supporting tourism in the union territory, despite
The chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), Jyoti Mayal, said that the incident is a severe blow to the combined efforts made by both government and private stakeholders to revive Kashmir's tourism sector, which had been witnessing significant growth post-COVID.
Mayal said she had personally handled at least 60 cancellations for different dates up to July since the news broke.
'I spoke to a couple of hotels in Pahalgam, they are saying that they've got most bookings cancelled; more than 60 percent have already been cancelled… COVID was the time when tourism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) started reviving after all the years of terrible times. They had no tourism, no growth. Then tourists started coming in. This incident is going to be a huge setback for the entire industry,' said Mayal, former president of the Travel Agents Association Of India (TAAI).
On Wednesday, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that he had spoken with authorities and stakeholders to allow full refunds to tourists who wish to cancel their trips to the Valley in the wake of the incident.
'In light of yesterday's tragic incident in Kashmir, many tourists are understandably anxious and reconsidering their travel plans. I've spoken to the concerned authorities and urged airlines, hotels, and tour operators to allow full refunds without hassle,' he said.
Following the unprecedented violence targeting tourists, tour operators and hotel owners in Kashmir are deeply concerned about the future of the tourism industry. They said the attack on tourists could devastate the sector in Kashmir.
Suhail Ahmad, who owns at least three hotels in Srinagar and Pahalgam, said that killing innocent tourists would have a long-lasting impact on the union territory's economy.
'The incident is unfortunate and condemnable. This should be a proper investigation in the matter. It has never happened here. It will ruin the tourism industry in Kashmir. The UT is 90 percent dependent on tourists,' he said.
Pahalgam is one of the most popular destinations in Kashmir, attracting lakhs of travelers due to its scenic locales. The town is also significant as one of the two routes to the Amarnath cave, a major pilgrimage site.
In 2018, Kashmir received 8.3 lakh tourists, including 56,000 foreign nationals. The footfall dropped drastically in 2020 to just 41,000. According to the J&K Tourism Department, only 3,900 foreign tourists arrived that year. Last year, total tourist footfall in Kashmir was 29.5 lakh, with about 66,000 foreign visitors.
The Central Government has invested considerable effort in recent years to promote tourism in J&K. It also organised a G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar in 2023 to attract international tourists.
President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Rajiv Mehra, said that members of the association have been promoting and selling J&K tour packages and will continue to do so.
'Such terrorism activities can not affect our morality to support the tourism industry of J&K… Drastic attacks on innocent tourists will have a very negative impact on both domestic tourism to a very large extent and international tourism in J&K although international tourist arrivals are less due to advisories issued by various countries… In the short run there would be cancellations but with support of all the stakeholders we are sure tourism would bounce back,' said Mehra.
Chairman of the Public Relations Council of TAAI, Rajan Sehgal, said the incident would certainly impact the upcoming season. He also called for adequate security arrangements to restore tourist confidence.
'Tulip season was very good as around eight lakh people visited the place. The flights are still going full. We have bookings for Pahalgam and other parts of Kashmir and they have not been cancelled yet… And we are getting a big support from the Travel Association from Kashmir that even the drivers are calling us saying, 'We are waiting eagerly for the customer, and we will take care of them,'' he said.
Sehgal further added that the focus should be on promoting tourism in J&K during the coming season with appropriate security measures. 'There should be more security during the tourist season… there should be some security camps. So, when people go there, they will be confident. This is our humble suggestion and request,' he said.
Mehra, who is also the general secretary of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), said, 'There shall be some cancellations but with support from all stakeholders tourism would surely bounce back. We appeal to the Government of India, local authorities and all stakeholders to ensure swift action, restore confidence and strengthen the sense of safety and security in the region.'
Meanwhile, airlines and online travel companies are offering refunds and assistance for rescheduling travel in light of recent developments. The founder-chairman of easymytrip.com, Nishant Pitti, said they have extended free change and cancellation waivers for all bookings made on or before April 22, applicable for travel until April 30.
'Additionally, we are coordinating closely with airlines and local authorities and will share regular updates. Your safety and convenience remain our top priorities,' he posted on 'X'.
Air India and IndiGo also operated two additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday to ferry passengers wishing to leave the union territory.
'Customers who wish to cancel their bookings will be provided with a full refund at no additional charge for all flights departing between April 23 and 29, 2025, to/from Srinagar. Moreover, customers can make their first schedule change at no additional charge, including waiver of penalty or fare difference, for travel within seven days from their original date,' said a representative of Air Akasa.
'We are closely monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to assist our customers in every way we can. In view of the emergent situation, we have taken steps to keep the fares moderated. Our priority remains safety of our customers and offering efficient services,' read a press statement issued by IndiGo.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

These 11 years of PM Modi will be written in golden words: CM Dhami
These 11 years of PM Modi will be written in golden words: CM Dhami

Time of India

time24 minutes ago

  • Time of India

These 11 years of PM Modi will be written in golden words: CM Dhami

These 11 years of PM Modi will be written in golden words: CM Dhami (Picture credit: ANI) DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's leadership on the completion of 11 years in office, stating that India has emerged as a major global power under his tenure. Speaking at the press conference, CM Dhami said, "Today, India is a major global power. The entire world sees India with hope. These 11 years of PM Modi will be written in golden words..."CM further added, "Post Independence, the people had hope from the government, but to realise that hope, it's PM Modi who has worked in the last 11 years with a motto of 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas, sab ka prayas'..."PM Modi first took oath as the Prime Minister of India on May 26, 2014, and is serving his third consecutive term. Marking the occasion, the Union government also released a comprehensive e-book detailing achievements across various sectors over the past 11 years. The year 2025 marks 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. The book said that these 11 years have been dedicated to bringing about inclusive, progressive, and sustainable development. "The government under Prime Minister Modi has been steadfast in its commitment to creating equity and opportunity for all citizens," it added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo "PM Modi has brought the politics of development - Vikasvaad - into the mainstream, making it the focal point around which political discourse and policy action now revolve," it reads. The book said that since assuming office in 2014, PM Modi has remained firm in his resolve to keep 'India First' in every policy formulation and action. It added that the resolve is evident in the government's handling of both external and internal security, economic management, empowerment schemes for marginalised groups, efforts at cultural conservation and so on. The book highlighted the government's steps in handling COVID-19: "Prime Minister Modi's government has always believed in setting challenging targets and achieving them before the set deadline. This can be seen across sectors, whether it is in vaccinating the entire eligible population in record time against Covid-19, recording the nation's highest ever exports in history, in the digital revolution which is taking place across India, in achieving monumental targets for rural electrification, in building world-class infrastructure or in providing drinking water facilities across households. "It emphasised that there has been a paradigm shift in public service delivery and the implementation of government schemes using the JAM Trinity - Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile - in the last 11 years." In the last 11 years, there has been a paradigm shift in public service delivery and the implementation of government schemes using the JAM Trinity - Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile. JAM Trinity is the key enabler of India's transformed and well-developed digital landscape. It has removed intermediaries and permits direct transfer of benefits into an intended beneficiary's bank account."Emphasising the government's action for conservation of the environment, it said, "Under Prime Minister Modi, India has championed environmental protection globally, emerging as a leader of the movement. The United Nations declared June 21st as International Yoga Day , an acknowledgement of the global recognition of the heritage. It also mentioned Operation Sindoor , describing it as a demonstration of a new India--resolute, swift, and sovereign in action. "India's assertion on the global stage has also undergone a remarkable evolution. The success of Operation SINDOOR demonstrated a new India--resolute, swift, and sovereign in action."The book is a comprehensive compendium about India's transformation under PM Modi's "visionary leadership across fourteen facets of policymaking, ranging from infrastructure to foreign policy to social justice". The book has 14 chapters, highlighting developmental aspects in different social, technological and educational sectors. It also noted the government's efforts to lift the marginalised class and different sections of society.

"Good Results": Shashi Tharoor On All-Party Delegation's 5-Nation Tour
"Good Results": Shashi Tharoor On All-Party Delegation's 5-Nation Tour

NDTV

timean hour ago

  • NDTV

"Good Results": Shashi Tharoor On All-Party Delegation's 5-Nation Tour

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who led a multi-party delegation to the US and four other countries to convey India's stand following Operation Sindoor, on Tuesday said his delegation had "good results" everywhere with "very high-quality meetings" and there was a complete understanding for the Indian position. Mr Tharoor, who returned after his five-nation tour this evening, said from the government's perspective, the purpose of sending MPs both demonstrates the unity of India across political lines and at the same time to deliver an effective message to government officials, legislators, think tanks, opinion makers, media and the diaspora abroad. "All of this was very thoroughly fulfilled," he told reporters at the airport here. "I think it was a very good visit. We were all very pleased with the way all the five countries we went to received us. We thought we had good results everywhere. "We had very high-quality meetings -- presidents, PMs, vice presidents, very senior interlocutors," the Congress leader said. At the same time, there was complete understanding and support for the Indian position for why this whole thing had been triggered post-Pahalgam and what our reaction had to be, he said. "In fact, many of the people we spoke to specifically expressed respect for the restraint we have shown in our reaction. I would say, we have come out of this extremely well," Mr Tharoor said. "We have done what we were asked to do," he said. Mr Tharoor said what he observed during his visit to the US is that Pakistan has no narrative left to present. "Not only did everyone understand and accept our point of view, but even the responses from American lawmakers were strongly in our favour... Pakistan's position is extremely weak. They claim they haven't done anything and that India attacked them without provocation, but no one was willing to buy that argument," he said. "Then they try to portray themselves as victims of the same extremists. I told them, '... if you raise a snake in your house, don't expect it to bite only your enemies'. That's the message I conveyed to everyone," he said. The delegation, led by Mr Tharoor, visited the US on the last leg of a multi-nation tour to brief key interlocutors about Operation Sindoor which India launched in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack which claimed 26 lives. The delegation was one of the seven multi-party delegations India had tasked to visit 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community to emphasise Pakistan's links to terrorism. The group arrived in the US capital on June 3 and over the course of three days held a wide array of meetings on Capitol Hill as well as in Washington, briefing American government officials as well as lawmakers about India's stance on cross-border terrorism. The team had earlier travelled to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil before arriving in Washington for the last leg of the tour. The other members of the delegation were Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Tejasvi Surya (BJP) and India's former Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. The on-ground hostilities from the Indian and Pakistan sides that lasted for four days ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.

Hopeful of reaching a deal with the US before July 9: EAM Jaishankar
Hopeful of reaching a deal with the US before July 9: EAM Jaishankar

United News of India

time2 hours ago

  • United News of India

Hopeful of reaching a deal with the US before July 9: EAM Jaishankar

Brussels/New Delhi, June 10 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that India is hopeful of reaching a trade deal with the US before the tariff suspension ends on July 9. In an interview to leading French daily Li Figaro, the EAM, to a question 'Washington is threatening Delhi with 26% tariffs' and if India still maintains good relations with the Trump administration, said: 'For over a quarter-century, under five US presidents, our ties with the US have continuously strengthened. Structural forces—economic, technological, educational, scientific, strategic, military—are driving this relationship. 'The threat of reciprocal tariffs was raised on April 2, but we had already begun bilateral negotiations for a trade agreement. Prime Minister Modi was hosted by Donald Trump in February, and they agreed to expand access to each other's markets. 'We are hopeful of reaching an agreement before the tariff suspension ends on July 9.' Asked for his views about 'Trump's foreign policy', he said 'we see the US acting in line with its immediate self-interest'. 'From our perspective, we noticed early on his interest in the Quad (dialogue between the US, India, Japan, and Australia) and his firm commitment to advancing it. Regarding the rest of the world, we see the US acting in line with its immediate self-interest. To be honest, I would do the same with them.' Asked if India would like to wish for reconciliation between Trump and Putin, Jaishankar said that the issue is not just about two men but that an urgent solution needs to be found to the Ukraine conflict. 'It's not just about two men. We've always believed that an urgent solution to the war in Ukraine must be found—and that it won't come from the battlefield. There must be direct negotiation between the parties, the sooner the better. We don't prescribe the outcome; that's for the parties involved to decide.' Q: So you don't want to take sides? 'No. We've helped both Ukraine and Russia as much as we could. My Prime Minister has been to Moscow and also to Kyiv. In Europe, your approach is different because you're part of Europe. But it's different for other countries. 'Large parts of the world—from Africa to Latin America to the Pacific islands—feel their economies and stability have been negatively affected by this conflict. The world wants it to stop. On this issue, we speak on behalf of the Global South.' Asked what the 'Global South' represent to India, he said: 'It refers to developing countries that have endured the painful legacy of colonization and are now trying to rebuild their societies and economies and earn the place they deserve in the international order. There is a sense of solidarity between us that makes us stronger—we saw it during Covid. India doesn't have a very high per capita GDP, but we still support the development of 78 other Global South countries.' To a question, that 'Indian society experiences internal tensions, notably with its large Muslim minority of 200 million. Could that affect India's image,' the EAM responded, by saying he 'rejects the premise of the question'. 'That is largely exaggerated, and sometimes outright false. When it comes to diversity, we are very different from Europe. Here, nations are typically based on one language, often one religion. Uniformity is your natural state, and you struggle with diversity. 'But we have always lived amid diversity. For us, multiple languages, beliefs, ethnicities, and traditions are part of who we are. Religion is only one facet of our identity. That's why I reject the premise of your question.' Asked if India should have a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, he said: 'We are the most populous country on the planet, the fourth or fifth largest economy by volume, we are increasingly active on the world stage—through peacekeeping, through contributing to regional prosperity and stability. Many of our actions positively impact other nations. 'Are we ready to take on a greater role? Yes. It's not just our wish—many countries are calling for it. The UN is 80 years old and struggling with its responsibilities. So would the world be better off? The answer is yes again.' UNI RN

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store