ibn sultan
GULMARG: The recent attack in Pahalgam has dealt a heavy blow to Kashmir’s tourism industry, with major tourist destinations witnessing a sharp decline in footfall. In Gulmarg, one of the most visited resorts in the Valley, the situation is grim — out of approximately 1150 hotel rooms, only about 50 are currently occupied.
This steep fall in bookings has come as a shock to hoteliers and tour operators who were hopeful for a strong season following increased interest earlier this year. “This is the worst we’ve seen in recent years,” said the General Manager of Hotel Hilltop Altaf Ahmad Rather.
According to staff members at the hotel, around 115 employees are now facing reduced workloads due to the slump. “Each staff member has been asked to report for 15 days online duty in a month due to the shortage of work. This will directly impact our earnings,” said one of the hotel staffers.
The sudden decline is being directly linked to heightened security concerns after the Pahalgam attack, which tragically targeted a group of tourists and led to multiple casualties.
The incident has raised serious concerns among domestic and international visitors, causing widespread cancellations and a major drop in new bookings.
Despite the setback, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department has urged tourists not to panic. In a public appeal, the department assured that all necessary security measures have been strengthened across tourist destinations in the Valley to ensure visitor safety.
Tourism is a lifeline for Kashmir’s economy, and the current situation has triggered fears of long-term impacts if the trend continues. Local stakeholders are now hoping for swift recovery measures and improved security confidence to bring the tourism sector back on track.(KNS)
