Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir, which has been grappling with a tourism crisis since the Pahalgam attack, has suffered another major setback with the Red Fort blast. According to tourism experts, reports of the involvement of several Kashmiri youth in the blast have worsened the situation, raising concerns among incoming tourists.
The sector had shown signs of improvement in October, impacted by early snowfall and government efforts. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had expressed hope that good weather would help revive the industry after months of uncertainty. This hope was dashed on November 10 when at least 12 people were killed in an alleged suicide car bomb attack by a Kashmiri doctor in Delhi. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said it had arrested six people, who were linked to a white-collar terror module. The group also included two Kashmiri doctors working outside the Union Territory.
Sajjad Ahmed, owner of a 20-room budget hotel in Gulmarg, said, “This is another blow for us. Visitors are very low. The involvement of some Kashmiris in the Delhi blasts and the sudden blast at the Nowgam police station are making people hesitant to come.”
Tourism had already plummeted after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Maidan, which killed 26 people, most of them tourists. Authorities closed more than 50 tourist spots, forcing tourists to leave the valley. After a security review, about 28 of these spots reopened, and travel operators said they saw a slight increase in visitors during the holiday and festival season.
Sajjad said, “Tourism picked up somewhat in October, but the blast has created uncertainty again. Currently, occupancy is barely between two and five percent.” Kashmir has seen record tourist arrivals in the past three years. Official figures show that 3.498 million tourists visited the valley last year, compared to 3.155 million in 2023 and 2.673 million in 2022. This year, tourist numbers had already surpassed six million before the Pahalgam attack, but have since declined to a few thousand.
Despite the slowdown, industry leaders and government officials say they expect a recovery with the arrival of winter. The Jammu and Kashmir government is participating in the 56th International Film Festival of India in Goa. At a tourism event in Srinagar on Friday, Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson Darakshan Andrabi said winter sports could help revive the industry.
She said, “Tourist flow has been good since 2019, but recent events have led to a decline. I hope the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg and the snowy season will attract visitors.” I don’t think any hotels will be empty this winter.
Farooq Kuthu, former president of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir and a well-known tourism stakeholder, expressed similar hope. He said that winter traditionally sees visitors from southern states, especially IT professionals who travel during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
He said, “The Red Fort blast was another blow to the sector, but there have been no cancellations or changes to bookings. Because of this, we are hopeful that the winter season will be better than the summer. The government’s efforts are also helping. Hope remains intact.”
