PM’s visit to Kashmir may boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir c
PM’s visit to Kashmir
may boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir c
PM Modi’s recent visit to Kashmir after the Pahalgam massacre by terrorists and flagging off Vande Bharat Express train service from Delhi-Srinagar and inauguration of the world’s highest rail bridge over river Chenab could supplement the confidence building measures being taken to boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. His Visit aims to rebuild confidence among tourists.
The J&K tourism department held a seminar to encourage tour operators. Travel agents are inspecting conditions and meeting with local authorities.
Reportedly, Travel industry representatives and experts will be visiting Kashmir later this month to evaluate the safety measures implemented in the Union Territory after the Pahalgam attack, as part of confidence building measures to draw tourists back to the picturesque Himalayan region which saw a wave of cancellations by holidaymakers after the terror strike.
The terror strike has been a major blow to tourism there. Tourists travel but safety of their lives is prime. Starting of the railway lines and the PM’s visit now may act as a booster and confidence building measure. JPM’s visit now may act as a booster and confidence building measure. Jammu & Kashmir Travel Industry expect tourism in the upcoming season from September-October to look up. It is not just Kashmir, but Leh & Ladakh have also been impacted. Two states–Bengal and Gujarat–contribute most in travel. Kashmir is a destination which is always one of the top and must visit destinations.”
However, as per Travel Industry, it will take a lot of time to reach the peak that was achieved in the last few years. Kashmir has emerged as an all-time favourite destination in recent years. Daily sizeable number of flights have been landing down at the airport. If things go well, in the present situation after Pahalgam, it will take at least 3-4 months to normalise. But to reach the past peak, a lot of time will be required.
PM Modi, after throwing open the world’s highest rail bridge and India’s first cable-stayed bridge Anji had alleged in a speech in Katra that Pakistan is against humanity, tourism and the livelihood of the Kashmiris, and thus attacked tourists in Pahalgam.
According to Anil Punjabi, national committee member of Travel Agents’ Federation of India (Tafi), teams of various organisations are travelling to Kashmir this month to help revive tourism in the state and check the safety and security measures for travellers.
Adding that the travel bodies expecti tourism to look up post June. Punjabi, is based in Bengal, the state that accounts for 25-30% of tourism in Kashmir.
Punjabi further asserted that the purpose is to have
on-ground inspection to understand the situation first-hand, talking to the local people, local agents, seeing if everything looks normal, monitoring the hotel services and staff after the recent incident in Pahalgam.
The terror attack in Pahalgam in April that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists., drove away holidaymakers and led to a barrage of travel and hotel reservation cancellations. Tafi and tour operators in Bengal claimed that cancellations were as high as 85%.
The security is the main issue which we want to oversee-whether they are introducing something like tourist police. They can recommend them and discuss them with the local administration. The local travel agents are likely to arrange such meetings.
The most significant assurance the travel industry needs is the safety of the travellers. They are getting there and going to experience it themselves.In the coming days, they are going to promote Srinagar and Pahalgam.
News Edit KV Raman
