Tourists prefer other hill stations following Pahalgam terror attack

BENGALURU: Tourists looking to spend quality time on vacation are staying away from Jammu and Kashmir due to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam in the region. Travellers are opting to stay away from the Jammu and Kashmir hill stations out of fear. At least half of the tourist destinations have been shut due to security concerns.

Many who had planned to visit Kashmir are now canceling their trips or preferring other hill stations in the country. Some are opting for destinations like Kullu-Manali, Uttarakhand and Darjeeling.

Travel agencies are getting calls for change in bookings, with many tourists who had booked Kashmir tours now opting for alternative destinations. Those who had planned to visit Kashmir in May are now changing their plans due to security matters. There’s also concern about the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which is set to begin in July.

The fear of terrorist attacks has created fear among tourists and travel agencies. Mahesh of Panicker’s Travel Pvt Ltd said, “Almost all bookings for Kashmir trips got cancelled due to the Pahalgam terror attack. Tourists would like to go to other hill stations like Kullu-Manali, Nainital, Darjeeling, and other places. Approximately 5 to 6 families were booked to go to Kashmir. Two families cancelled the trip, and other families shifted to other destinations. There was a good response for Kashmir tours over the last five years. This is the time for getting tourist inquiries”.

“Our regular clients are changing their minds and planning to go to other destinations like Rajasthan and Northeast. Some of them are reconsidering their trips. Clients are inquiring about Amarnath Yatra, which will fall in July, and they are asking about army protection and security systems. We are assuring about protection”, said Vani of Southern Travels.