Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sharply criticised the ongoing closure of dozens of tourist destinations in the Valley, saying that promoting tourism while keeping key attractions shut is contradictory and harmful to both the industry and public confidence.
Speaking during the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) AGM at the newly inaugurated Convention Centre in Gulmarg, Omar asserted that the government must either commit to opening these spots or stop claiming Kashmir’s return to normalcy through tourism promotion. “When half of Kashmir is shut for tourism, promotion becomes meaningless,” he remarked. “What do we tell tourists—that they can ride the Gondola but not visit Drung, or come to Pahalgam but not enter Betab or Aru Valley?”
He named destinations still closed since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, including parts of Gulmarg, Drung, Doodhpathri, Yousmarg, Tosamaidan, and others. Omar said hoteliers, guides, and vendors have suffered heavy financial losses. “Hotels are empty, transporters idle, and livelihoods reliant on tourist footfall are disrupted,” he added.
Following the Pahalgam attack, visitor arrivals plunged by 90–95% in some areas. Business dropped sharply, with hotel occupancy at destinations like Gulmarg and Srinagar severely affected. Thousands of jobs have been lost across sectors, including hotel staff, houseboat operators, taxi drivers, and artisans.
Omar noted that some tourist spots have reopened: 16 of 48 locations closed after the attack, including Verinag, Kokernag, Achabal gardens, Betab Valley, Badamwari Park, Duck Park, and Taqdeer Park.
He pledged to take the matter of closed zones to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for faster reopening decisions after security reviews. The Chief Minister urged tourism stakeholders to collaborate with the government, saying only a cohesive effort can restore Kashmir’s tourism and the livelihoods it supports.
