Kashmir Set To See A Surge In Tourists Again: Jammu Kashmir Hoteliers Club Chairman

By Parvez Ud Din

Srinagar: Flight operations resumed at Srinagar's Sheikh ul Alam International Airport on Tuesday with the arrival of the first commercial flight since tensions eased. People associated with the tourism sector—and the public—breathed a collective sigh of relief. The restoration of air connectivity has rekindled hope that tourists will soon return to Kashmir without fear.

Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club Chairman Mushtaq Chaya called the resumption of air traffic following the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan a "positive sign" for the tourism industry in Kashmir. He expressed optimism that tourist footfall would rebound quickly.

Speaking with ETV Bharat, Chaya said, "I'm confident we'll see a significant number of tourists back in Kashmir as early as next week. I've spoken to several tour operators across the country—bookings are already underway. Major travel agents are working hard to ease tourist anxiety and encourage them to visit Kashmir."

"Incidents like these happen across the world. But time heals, and life moves on. I hope that very soon, tourists from across the country will begin arriving in Kashmir again," he added.

Chaya noted that just as normal life is returning in the rest of the country, especially in the Kashmir Valley, tourist activity will also pick up in the days ahead. "After the ceasefire, tourists were eagerly waiting for the resumption of flights. We are fully prepared to welcome them. In fact, we've also decided to offer discounts on hotel bookings, which will be officially announced soon."

Speaking about the Hoteliers Club meeting, he said: "All stakeholders—hoteliers, houseboat owners, and transporters—agreed unanimously to offer special concessions to incoming tourists. We are waiting for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to make a formal announcement in the coming days."

He added,"The tourism industry directly or indirectly supports around 30 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir, and employs nearly three lakh individuals."

Meanwhile, others in the industry echoed Chaya's optimism, saying ongoing efforts at both the government and private levels would help to revive Kashmir's tourism sector.

The sector had suffered a severe blow following the terror attack on April 22 in the Baisaran meadow in Anantnag district of South Kashmir's Pahalgam. Following the attack, advance bookings at many hotels and houseboats were cancelled, and several visitors cut their trips short and left the Valley early.