Situation for the tourism sector in Kashmir has again turned ugly. In wake of recent suicide attack on CRPF in Pulwama district, tourists are cancelling their trips who have planned to visit the Himalayan state in coming months and had booked their vacations in the valley, as revealed by tour and travel operators.
Ather Yameen, the general secretary to Travel Agents Society of Kashmir said, “Some travel operators outside Kashmir are not ready to promote Kashmir. The situation has now come to the extent that I had to refund all the money for bookings till April.”
“People who have invested in the sector are facing huge losses as tourists are cancelling their plans,” said Jammu and Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Association’s president, Showkat Chowdhary.
Hoteliers, travel operators along with the investors, whoever are earning their livelihood from the sector, are worried about the side effect of the terror attack that hampers the industry.
For the hoteliers, this is the season to receive pre-bookings for the upcoming summer season, but the negative propaganda by the media outlets has an adverse effect on the sector.
Recording only 8.5 lakh tourists foot falls, 2018 was also not a very exciting year for the state tourism sector. Therefore the tourism players and the tourism department had set high hopes on this year to compensate the loss faced by the hospitality sector. But last week’s deadliest terror attack have resulted in protests across the country and some right-wing leaders demanded to boycott Kashmir’s tourism.
However, the Director tourism Department, Kashmir is quite optimistic about the future and said that in coming days, with time, things will fall in place.
Voicing the same, Ashfaq Dug, the president – Travel Agents Association of Kashmir said, “We are optimistic that the situation may improve in coming days, but considering the fact that, the intending tourists are cancelling their bookings is definitely not a good sign.”
The unfortunate incident has its repercussions. But on a good note, the aggressive marketing by government and private players has changed the situation to some extent and the houseboats of Kashmir are fully booked till June.
Despite all detriments, the state Tourism Department is continuing the promotion campaigns all over India. Let’s hope Kashmir – “the paradise on the earth” should get back to its glory as soon as possible.
