Weather hampers revival of tourism in JK after Pahalgam attack
Stakeholders seek reopening of tourist spots
TASK President appeals LG to reopen all tourist destinations
By: Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: The hopes of reviving tourism in Jammu and Kashmir have been hit hard following the recent Pahalgam attack, as unfavourable weather has further dampened the arrival of visitors.
Adding to the woes, several popular tourist spots remain closed, prompting repeated appeals from stakeholders to the administration for their reopening.
President of the Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK), Ibrahim Siah, urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene at the earliest.
“We understand the security concerns after the unfortunate Pahalgam incident, but tourism is the backbone of our economy. Continuous closure of key destinations is leaving thousands of families associated with the sector on the verge of starvation.
We request the government to at least allow regulated movement of tourists so that people can feed their families,” he said.
Tour operators echoed similar concerns, stressing that both the security situation and unpredictable weather have pushed the industry into crisis.
Mohammad Ashraf, a tour operator from Srinagar, said, “Our bookings have dropped drastically after the attack. And now, with heavy rains disrupting road connectivity and keeping tourists away, the situation is getting unbearable. We can’t sustain losses for so long.”
Rukhsana Qadri, who runs a travel agency in Pahalgam, added, “We are not against safety measures, but a prolonged closure means total collapse of local businesses. Hotels, ponywalas, shikara operators, guides – all are suffering. Authorities should strike a balance between security and livelihood.”
Another operator, Abdul Majid from Gulmarg, remarked, “Tourism is not just about hotels; it feeds an entire chain of small businesses. If this continues, many will be forced to shut shop permanently.”
The tourism industry in J&K, often described as its lifeline, had been witnessing a gradual recovery over the past few years. However, the back-to-back impact of the Pahalgam attack, inclement weather, and closure of key tourist attractions has cast a shadow over the upcoming autumn season, leaving thousands anxious about their future.
