Tourist arrivals in Kashmir plummet months after deadly Pahalgam terror incident.
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector, which had witnessed record visitor inflows earlier this year, is now facing a severe crisis following the terror attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam, on April 22. What began as a promising peak season in March, with thousands of tourists arriving to enjoy the Valley’s scenic beauty, was abruptly disrupted by the attack, in which terrorists targeted a group of tourists, causing casualties and widespread panic.
Since the incident, tourist footfall has dropped sharply. Officials and local stakeholders report that arrivals remain at less than 20% of previous seasons, even five months after the attack. The blow to the tourism industry, long considered the backbone of the region’s economy, has been substantial.
Many offbeat destinations, including those promoted under border tourism initiatives, have been closed again due to security concerns, particularly in areas near the Line of Control (LoC). These destinations, opened two years ago to diversify Kashmir’s tourism offerings, had been gaining popularity until recent tensions arose.
In Gulmarg, a key tourist hub, hotel owners are struggling. “We run a 4-star hotel with around 300 rooms. Since the Pahalgam incident, we barely see two or three rooms booked. Last year, we were fully booked months in advance,” a hotelier told this reporter, requesting anonymity.
The government has launched campaigns to revive the sector and restore confidence, but stakeholders say these efforts are insufficient. “Tourists from across the country must feel safe here. Kashmir is a part of India, and the enemy always tries to disturb peace. But the people of Kashmir have always stood with the nation,” the hotelier added.
Locals and traders remain hopeful that with improved security measures and government support, tourism in the Valley can gradually return to normalcy.
