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Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Travel bodies join hands to revive Kashmir tourism post-terror attack
Tourism associations express solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir after Pahalgam terror attack; hoteliers offer discounts as confidence-building begins Mumbai Listen to This Article Major associations in the travel and hospitality sector have joined hands in an effort to revive the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack in April. This comes after the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) recently launched a 'Chalo Kashmir' campaign to encourage travel to the region. 'All the major associations have expressed solidarity with Kashmir and the entire tourism industry of the state, and the effect of this (the terror attack) will take some time to wear off,' Ajay Prakash, vice-chairman, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), told Business Standard.
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
"Chalo Kashmir": Travel Association's New Campaign Aims To Restore Tourism In J&K
Jammu and Kashmir remains one of the most iconic, scenic and culturally significant destinations in India and globally. In response to concerns over tourism following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has launched the "Let's Visit J&K" or "Chalo Kashmir" campaign. TAAI, the oldest and largest association representing the travel, tourism and hospitality industry in India, said the campaign aims to restore the region's vibrancy and support tourism revival. According to official data, tourism in Kashmir saw record numbers in 2024. Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a historic footfall of 2.35 crore tourists during the year, PTI reported. This included domestic travellers, pilgrims visiting Amarnath and Vaishno Devi, and around 65,000 foreign tourists. "While recent disturbances have raised concerns, they cannot diminish the timeless appeal of the region. An incident meant to cause disruption cannot take away the legacy of Jammu and Kashmir," TAAI said in a press statement. "By encouraging travel to Jammu and Kashmir, we support local livelihoods and send a message of resilience, unity and hope," the association added. At a meeting held on May 16, 2025, the Managing Committee and Chapter Chairpersons of TAAI passed a unanimous resolution to promote travel to Jammu and Kashmir in an active and sustained manner. The association aims to reach more than one million travellers - including families, groups and individuals - through the direct customer base of its 2,400+ member companies across India. Key Initiatives Under "Let's Visit J&K" Campaign: Coordination with J&K Government: TAAI has requested the Hon'ble Chief Minister and concerned authorities to implement strong safety measures for all visitors to the Union Territory. Support From The Hospitality Sector: The campaign plans to coordinate with hotels and local tourism operators to offer special promotional packages and personalised services to tourists. Engagement With Airlines: Airlines are being invited to offer promotional fares to make travel to Jammu and Kashmir more affordable and appealing. Mobilising Local Network: The TAAI J&K Chapter, which includes over 100 member companies from the travel and tourism sector, is actively participating in the campaign. The Campaign's Message To Travellers Across India:
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kol's outbound flyer count back to near normal after Pahalgam dip
1 2 Kolkata: Following a three-week decline in passenger numbers at Kolkata airport after the April 22 Pahalgam terror incident and India's Operation Sindoor response , there are now positive indicators. Daily departing passenger numbers from Kolkata airport, which had decreased to 23,000 from 28,000, are now showing a steady improvement, with Sunday recording over 27,500 departures — a 20% increase over last week. This improvement follows the ceasefire agreement, relaxed airspace restrictions, and reopening of northern Indian airports affected by the border tensions. Airport authorities are optimistic that the difficult period has passed. "We experienced a significant reduction in passenger numbers following the Pahalgam incident and subsequent military action against Pakistani militants. Recent days show positive trends in bookings and attendance, indicating renewed traveller confidence," a Kolkata airport official said. TOI reported on Monday that tour operators who experienced significant cancellations and reduced Kashmir-bound travel, are orchestrating a recovery. The Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI), alongside 100 Kolkata-based agencies, initiated the "Chalo Kashmir" initiative last week to restore interest in the Valley, promoting it as a secure summer destination. "Tourism has been a harbinger of peace. By encouraging people to travel to J&K, we are supporting livelihoods and reinforcing a message of resilience, unity, and hope," TAAI chairman (East) Anjani Dhanuka said. Tourist interest is increasing. With summer holidays on and airspace restrictions lifted, both families and individual travellers are considering vacation plans. Souvik Mukherjee, a technology professional from Behala, departed for Leh on Sunday. "We planned this trip months ago. Yes, there were initial concerns and I almost decided to cancel. But then I discussed it with my group of friends, with whom I will be starting from Delhi, and we decided to hold on to our bookings. Now, we believe the situation is stabilising and the recent developments have given us the confidence to go ahead," said Mukherjee. TOI data had indicated a steady decline in outbound passengers since the Pahalgam incident. On April 21, before the Pahalgam attack, 28,164 passengers flew out. Two days later, departures dipped to around 26,000. By May 10, numbers decreased to 23,009. Post ceasefire, numbers improved steadily. Saturday recorded 26,754 departures and Sunday saw 27,555 domestic passengers leaving. Travel industry reports increased enquiries and reservations. "Just two weeks ago, we had to process multiple cancellations daily. Now, we're seeing a spike in fresh bookings and more tourists flying out. I am certain the number will cross 30,000 per day by next week," said Anil Punjabi, national committee member of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI).
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Chalo Kashmir': Kol travel cos unite in ‘aptest response' to terror
Kolkata: Around 100 travel companies in Kolkata have come together to support an initiative that aims to revive J&K's tourism. The ' Chalo Kashmir ' initiative — spearheaded by Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI) — aims to put forward a bold statement against the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, considered by many as an attempt to hit the Valley's economy. Encouraging tourists to return would effectively counter terrorism, feel industry leaders. The initiative has already been seeing positive response from tourists. These Kolkata travel agencies collectively manage about 4 lakh domestic tourists annually, with 40,000 visiting J&K. Following last month's terror attack, J&K has seen a 90%-95% decline in tourism earnings, with Srinagar's Dal Lake alone reporting an 80% reduction in tourist activity. "As a leader and custodian of India's tourism sector, TAAI stands committed to supporting the people and the economy of J&K, where tourism is the primary source of livelihood. The need of the hour is to reignite tourism in the Valley, which remains one of the most iconic and culturally rich destinations in India," said Anjani Dhanuka, TAAI chairman (East). Dhanuka went on to say: "While recent disturbances may have created concerns, they cannot overshadow the timeless allure of Kashmir. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tukarkan Bitcoin dan Ethereum - Tanpa Dompet Diperlukan! IC Markets MULAI SEKARANG Undo An incident aimed to cause chaos and disturbance cannot steal away the glory of the region. Tourism has long been a harbinger of peace. By encouraging people to travel to J&K, we are not only supporting livelihoods but also reinforcing a message of resilience, unity, and hope." TAAI, the oldest and largest travel association in the country, has activated its network to reach out to potential tourists through engagement and social media campaigns. Its members have also contacted J&K CM Omar Abdullah, seeking enhanced security measures for visitors. J&K typically welcomes 2.5 crore tourists annually — split equally between pilgrims and leisure travellers. Of this, Bengal contributes approximately 30 lakh tourists, most of them on leisure trips. TAAI national executive committee member Manav Soni said that encouraging tourist return would effectively counter the Pahalgam carnage. "India, a beacon of secularism and one of the world's fastest-growing economies, must stand united when a region's tourism potential is threatened. As an industry leader, TAAI cannot stay silent," said Soni. Some tourists have already decided to respond. "I understand terrorism impacts local livelihood and local economy the most. I cancelled my 10-day trip to Kashmir in the last week of April following the terror attack. If I can manage leaves, I would love to go for the trip," said Salt Lake resident Madhura Bagchi. "Hotels that were once fully booked now are vacant. Tourists are suddenly afraid of locals in Kashmir... We just want the situation to ease at the earliest," said Dinesh Bhatter, a Kashmir travel specialist.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kashmir wants normalcy & its tourists back
Almost a month after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that escalated tensions between India and Pakistan and led to Operation Sindoor, the travel industry is planning special packages through tie-ups with airlines, hotels and campaigns to gradually revive tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. Industry bodies such as Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) said they would appeal to the government and relevant authorities to ensure safety and security of tourists and restore traveller trust. TAAI said besides requesting Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and relevant authorities to ensure strong security measures, it plans to work with hotels, and local tourism operators to offer special promotional packages and "personalised care" as part of a 'Let's visit J&K' campaign. The industry body said it is inviting airline partners to provide promotional airfares. "We are planning to encourage people to travel from June onwards if the ceasefire continues and things go well," said Sunil Kumar, president of TAAI. IATO president Ravi Gosain said the attack on tourists was specifically to derail tourism. "Moving forward, we need to see that these perpetrators do not succeed," he said. The association plans to send out agents first to assess and evaluate the situation on the ground, he added. Habibullah Pandow, MD of Kamran Tours and Travels, and the vice president of Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, said the number of tourists in Kashmir have trickled down to hundreds since the attack. He said the central and state governments need to play a pivotal role in restoring tourists' trust. "Within the country, our domestic flow is enough for Kashmir, and we will think of roadshows," Pandow said. "Overtime, Kashmir has also become an expensive domestic package and we will have to look at discounted and reasonably priced packages on a demand and supply basis," he added. The J&K hotel occupancy has ranged between 50% and 60% and it was one of the earlier markets to recover after the Covid-19 pandemic, with occupancy crossing 50% as early as in the first quarter of 2021, said Karan Mahesh, senior sales, South and Southeast Asia, at STR, a CoStar Group firm.
