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Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
Remaining group of Goans stranded in Kashmir make it back home safely
Panaji: The last group of Goans who were stranded in Srinagar after the Pahalgam terror strike in Kashmir returned home safely to their families on Sunday. Close to 60 Goans, who went for their summer holidays to Kashmir, found themselves caught in the mayhem following the bloodshed that shook the nation. Around 40 of the Goans landed on Saturday, grateful to be reunited with their loved ones after a harrowing holiday. 'The final batch of 10 clients of ours reached Goa on Sunday. They had even done sightseeing in Kashmir. The important thing to say is that everything is normal in other parts there,' said Ahraz Mulla, the managing director of GAC Holidays. Daxal Naik, the owner of Travel Bug Tours and Travels, took to social media to express his relief at the safe return of all the Goans who travelled as part of a package tour offered by his company. 'Our group of 26 travellers who recently went to Kashmir have returned home safely. In light of the recent incidents, we want to assure everyone that all necessary precautions were taken throughout the journey,' Naik said. He added that all upcoming Kashmir tours have been cancelled for the safety of travellers. State govt was monitoring the status of all those stranded in Srinagar, with chief secretary V Candavelou coordinating their safe return home. State govt has also reached out to the district administration in Srinagar, seeking assistance and support, if required, for the safety and protection of the Goans.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Time of India
After attack, travel operators in Goa cancel Kashmir tours
Panaji: At least two Goan travel operators that organise group tours to Kashmir have cancelled all trips following the dastardly terror attack at Pahalgam. GAC Holidays and Travel Bug Tours and Travels stated that they temporarily ceased offering trips to the picturesque valley, and initiated refunds for the bookings. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They said they would await Centre's announcement on whether tourism activities can resume. 'We have cancelled all our tours until govt tells us it is safe to travel. May is the peak travel period for Kashmir, as it is the best time to travel, and this will cause a huge loss for us. However, more than the loss, our clients' lives and safety are more important,' said Daxal Naik, the owner of Travel Bug. Ahraz Mulla, managing director, GAC, said that a similar decision was taken by his travel company. 'One group, which was to travel in the coming days, backed out. The airlines refunded the full flight fare because the travel date is before April 30. However, there is another group going on May 6, and the airlines are not offering a refund,' said Mulla. 'As of now, all trips until April 30 are cancelled, and we will see what govt says.' May is generally considered the peak season in Kashmir, especially for tourism. It's a time when the weather is pleasant, the landscape is lush with blooming flowers, and travel options improve as winter fades. Many families plan their holidays to Kashmir to escape the sweltering summer in Goa and to coincide with the summer school holidays. Naik, who has organised tours to Kashmir since 2013, said he was shocked to hear that terrorists targeted tourists. 'I organise around 40-50 tours to Kashmir every year. This is the first time that terrorists attacked tourists... the attacks were usually on the Army and in Uri and other locations. Tourists have been targeted this time,' said Naik.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Time of India
Goan tourists stranded in Srinagar due to sold out flights and high prices
Panaji: Over 50 Goan tourists who travelled to Kashmir for their summer holidays are stranded as return flights continue to remain either sold out or expensive. The passengers, holed up safely in Srinagar, are now counting on state govt to facilitate their return home. 'Flights are not available. Jammu is not accessible by road because of a landslide that occurred just days before the attack, and because of this, flights were already expensive and booked,' said Daxal Naik, the owner of Travel Bug Tours and Travels . A group of 26 from Goa travelled with Travel Bug Tours and Travels, while another 32 travelled through GAC Holiday . Aside from this, a couple of other Goans also travelled independently to Pahalgam. All of them narrowly escaped the terror attack. Though the military presence at tourist spots has increased significantly, many of the tourists remain shell-shocked and keen to return home instead of waiting for their return flights. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have AED 1000? سالك Read More Undo 'The two of us planned this trip for one year, and we were saving up for this. But after one and a half days, we decided to return. With fear in your mind, how can you enjoy any place?' said Shama Lotlikar. Lotlikar, along with her partner, Venkatesh, decided to pay the high flight fares so that they could return to Goa. With no flights available, they chose to fly a circuitous route from Srinagar to Mumbai, and from there to Bengaluru. They will stay in Bengaluru for two days before returning to Goa. 'It was really difficult to book a flight. Our family and Ahraz tried for four hours. Finally, I started booking random flights without checking where the flight was going. The flight tickets were very expensive. Only after booking the ticket did I realise that the flight is going to Bengaluru via Mumbai,' said Shama. As the Lotlikars were booking the tickets, they saw fares jump from Rs 5,000 to Rs 18,000 and finally to Rs 40,000 per person.
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Business Standard
23-04-2025
- Business Standard
Over 50 tourists from Goa stuck in J&K after terror attack: Officials
More than 50 persons from Goa who were on a vacation to Jammu and Kashmir were stranded at hotels in Srinagar after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam and efforts were on to bring them back, officials said on Wednesday. Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 persons, mostly tourists, and injuring several others, according to officials. The terrorists opened fire at tourists who were milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, touted as 'Mini Switzerland' for its serene beauty. After the incident, all visitors were transported from Pahalgam and other places to hotels in Srinagar, a Goa government official said. More than 50 persons from Goa were currently in Jammu and Kashmir, the official said, adding that "all are safe". Efforts were on to bring them back, the official said. Tour operators from Goa were also working out plans to bring all tourists back from Jammu and Kashmir. One of the tour operators said a few of the tourists were scheduled to visit Baisaran point after food where the attack happened. "A group of Goans was in Pahalgam market when the incident happened, while another group was in Sonamarg. All were called back to a hotel in Srinagar were they are currently safe," said Ahraz Mulla, co-founder of tour company Goa Adventure Club in Panaji. Mulla said their firm had planned a trip for a group of 34 persons to Pahalgam and 12 to Jammu. "Those in Jammu are stranded due to a landslide. They also cannot fly out from there as flights are running full capacity," he said. A group that went to Pahalgam reached there on April 17 and was supposed to return on April 24. "Efforts are on to get them back immediately," Mulla said. Daxal Naik, owner of Travel Bug Tours and Travels near Panaji, said a group of 26 persons whose visit to Jammu and Kashmir was facilitated by his company, was still stranded there. "All of them have reached hotels in Srinagar. We are trying to bring them back as soon as possible," he said. Naik said a group of tourists from Goa was having lunch at Pahalgam market when the attack happened. "The tourists were scheduled to visit Baisaran point after having food where the attack happened," he added. The group had left from Goa on April 21 and was supposed to return on April 26, he said. The unavailability of seats in flights from Jammu and Kashmir has forced the tour operators to keep tourists in hotels there, Naik claimed, adding that efforts were on to bring them back by the earlier flight possible.
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First Post
23-04-2025
- First Post
More than 50 persons from Goa who were on a vacation to Jammu and Kashmir were stranded at hotels in Srinagar after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam and efforts were on to bring them back, offic
More than 50 tourists from Goa have been stranded in Srinagar following a terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals. All tourists are reported to be safe, and coordinated efforts are currently underway to ensure their safe return. read more Over 50 Goan tourists are stranded after the Phalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. More than 50 persons from Goa who were on a vacation to Jammu and Kashmir were stranded at hotels in Srinagar after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam and efforts were on to bring them back, officials said on Wednesday. Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 persons, mostly tourists, and injuring several others, according to officials. The terrorists opened fire at tourists who were milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, touted as 'Mini Switzerland' for its serene beauty. Advertisement After the incident, all visitors were transported from Pahalgam and other places to hotels in Srinagar, a Goa government official said. More than 50 persons from Goa were currently in Jammu and Kashmir, the official said, adding that 'all are safe'. Efforts were on to bring them back, the official said. Tour operators from Goa were also working out plans to bring all tourists back from Jammu and Kashmir. One of the tour operators said a few of the tourists were scheduled to visit Baisaran point after food where the attack happened. 'A group of Goans was in Pahalgam market when the incident happened, while another group was in Sonamarg. All were called back to a hotel in Srinagar were they are currently safe,' said Ahraz Mulla, co-founder of tour company Goa Adventure Club in Panaji. Mulla said their firm had planned a trip for a group of 34 persons to Pahalgam and 12 to Jammu. 'Those in Jammu are stranded due to a landslide. They also cannot fly out from there as flights are running full capacity,' he said. A group that went to Pahalgam reached there on April 17 and was supposed to return on April 24. 'Efforts are on to get them back immediately,' Mulla said. Daxal Naik, owner of Travel Bug Tours and Travels near Panaji, said a group of 26 persons whose visit to Jammu and Kashmir was facilitated by his company, was still stranded there. Advertisement 'All of them have reached hotels in Srinagar. We are trying to bring them back as soon as possible,' he said. Naik said a group of tourists from Goa was having lunch at Pahalgam market when the attack happened. 'The tourists were scheduled to visit Baisaran point after having food where the attack happened,' he added. The group had left from Goa on April 21 and was supposed to return on April 26, he said. The unavailability of seats in flights from Jammu and Kashmir has forced the tour operators to keep tourists in hotels there, Naik claimed, adding that efforts were on to bring them back by the earlier flight possible. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
