Reviving Kashmir’s Tourism: TASK to hold mega roadshow in Kolkata on July 10
Post-Pahalgam attack slump prompts fresh outreach, focus now shifts to Pooja Holidays
By: Special Correspondent
Srinagar: With Kashmir’s tourism sector still reeling from the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, the Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK) is gearing up for a major outreach initiative.
A mega roadshow is scheduled in Kolkata on July 10 — a strategic move aimed at wooing domestic tourists ahead of the Pooja Holidays in September, a period traditionally considered a lucrative window for travel to the Valley.
Speaking to ‘Kashmir Vision’, TASK Chairman Ibrahim Siyah admitted that the spring-summer season — usually the busiest time of year — has taken a serious hit. “The season is almost lost, but not entirely. Some tourists are still coming, largely because hoteliers are offering heavy discounts. But the numbers are nowhere near normal,” he said.
The downturn follows the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 civilian lives and sent shockwaves through the tourism industry. The attack, one of the deadliest in recent memory in a key tourist hotspot, not only disrupted travel plans but also struck a psychological blow to the fragile economic ecosystem that heavily relies on visitor footfall.
With immediate revival proving difficult, TASK is now pinning its hopes on the upcoming Pooja Holidays.
“All eyes are on September,” Siyah said. “That’s when families and groups from eastern India, especially West Bengal, prefer to travel. Kolkata is a major source market for Kashmir, and this roadshow is about rebuilding trust and reigniting interest.”
The Kolkata event will showcase the Valley’s scenic offerings, improved infrastructure, and the hospitality industry’s readiness to welcome guests safely. Representatives from hotels, travel firms and government stakeholders are expected to participate.
Tour operators on the ground echo the urgency. “There is nervousness among clients after the attack, but our job is to convey that security has been tightened and that Kashmir is still a dream destination,” said Aqib Wani, a Srinagar-based travel consultant catering to eastern markets.
Another travel operator, Umer Nazir, who runs a boutique tour agency in the Boulevard area, said inquiries are down, but hopes remain pinned on the yatra and upcoming festive travel.
“Right now, we are surviving on small groups and last-minute bookings. If the Pooja Holidays don’t pick up, it will be another tough quarter,” he said.
Siyah also expressed hope that the upcoming Amarnath Yatra would provide a temporary boost in footfall. However, he voiced concern over certain logistical decisions. “A large number of pilgrims are expected, but the halting helicopter services weren’t a good move. Accessibility is crucial, especially for elderly yatris.”
As Kashmir inches toward recovery, the July 10 roadshow in Kolkata may serve as both a morale booster and a turning point as far as wooing back tourists is concerned.
