Jammu and Kashmir tourism has seen very bad days rather downfall in the hey days /years of militancy and terrorism as all the avenues of tourist employment and job market were almost closed during the long years of terrorism in the erstwhile state. But after the abrogation of controversial Article 370 of the constitution of India ,the tourism and tourist foot fall saw a veritable expansion and tourists thronged Jammu as well as Kashmir and more so Kashmir both in summer and winter as the winter tourism showed a perceptible change for better. Thus tourism industry and economy thrived post abrogation of Article 370. There was visible improvement in peace,normalcy and the development momentum gained currency and everything was near normal. The strikes, bhands, stone pelting, violence and killing of the innocent lives was at vane and with the reemergence of peace, tranquility and development, tourism also increase exponentially and all the people connected with tourism gained not only their livelihood but also earned wealth. There was visible improvement not only in peace, normalcy and development ,but tourism thrived and it was up and doing. But this was an eyesore to Pakistan and all those terrorists and OGW and they were upset and uneasy over the flourishing of the tourist industry and economy. Thus they enacted the most heinous attack on the tourists at Baisaran valley of Pahalgam and killed 26 tourists with sadistic pleasure. The Pahalgam carnage was well planned to disturb and destroy the flourishing tourism industry and these unfortunate killings of the tourists at a large scale sounded doom and death-knell for the tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and to be specific in Kashmir. The tourist footfall stands adversely affected and tourists started leaving valley enemas and thus it naturally hit the tourist economy and the livelihoods of all those people directly or indirectly connected with tourism got a big jerk and setback. The Pahalgam attack was a targeted attack on the tourists who were Hindu by religion. It was very unfortunate and inhuman that the terrorists before killing tourists enquired the identity of the tourists whether they were Hindus or Muslims and those savages lined all the Tourists who were Hindus and shot them dead from point black range. The dastardly terrorism attack shook people of not only J&K, but of whole India and there is fear and sense of insecurity among the tourists who are our guests. Thus this gruesome attack on tourists was unprecedented and it was aimed to derail the tourist economy of Jammu and Kashmir. This terrorist attack on tourists which left 26 tourists dead has the effect of bringing down the tourism as the bulk of tourists began leaving Kashmir and all most all tourist and scenic spots in Kashmir has a deserted look as there is now no rush and hustle and bustle of tourists. Even Dal Lake also presented an awkward look as there is quietness as there are very few or no tourists and the Pahalgam carnage adversely affected tourist footfall and tourism industry and all those associated with tourism are lamenting and cursing the terrorists who brought tourism to grinding halt. Tourism was thriving in Valley before Pahalgam tourist attack and this unprecedented massacre gave a strong blow to tourism and tourists started leaving Kashmir in large numbers. Post Pahalgam terrorist attack on tourists who are our guests and not only our esteemed customers, the tourists have cancelled more than 80% bookings and it has given a big setback to tourism in Kashmir. Thus we can say that the heinous attack on tourists in Pahalgam was not merely an attack on innocent tourists but an assault on Kashmiriyat, Kashmir, Sufi cultural ,traditions and on the soul of Kashmir and whole India. The way tourists were murdered has no parallels in Kashmir history and the gruesome attack on tourist who were enjoying in the serene green meadows shook the humanity and ashamed Kashmiris and it sounded doomsday for tourism in Kashmir. With great effort and hard work, tourism was earlier brought on track but the Pahalgam tragedy has given a big jolt to tourism and tourists are leaving Kashmir and it augurs very bad and inauspicious for the tourism sector and tourist economy and industry. It is so sad and unfortunate that nearly eighty percent tourist bookings to Kashmir were cancelled after the aftermath of Pahalgam tragedy and the tourist economy is in severe shock and it will take more time to see tourism again on rails.’’ It is justified and natural given what happened, Kashmir Hotel Association head says against the backdrop of a badly hit tourism industry in J&K.80% of the tourist bookings to Kashmir have been cancelled in the wake of the Pahalgan terror attack ,the KHA said in Srinagar on 26th April. Mr Chaya chairman of KHA said tourism stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir were not worried by the dent to business, ’’but are sad with the fact that the incident took place on our soil. ’’The people of Kashmir ,its political parties and the government have condemned this attack in strongest terms and demanded to give its perpetrators a befitting punishment. The Pahalgam terror attack has hit the tourism industry badly in Kashmir. Thousands of tourists have cut short their holiday in Kashmir ,and left by special flights and trains after the Pahalgam attack of April 22,2025.There is panic, fear and grief in tourists as 26 of them have been brutally killed in broad day light by the Islamic terrorists and thus violated the sanctity of the great and holy religion and gave a bad name to it. KCCI delegation which met LG in Raj Bhawan said,’’ The heinous attack has deeply wounded the soul of Kashmir and left every citizen shattered and bereaved.’’ KCCI also said that these tragic deaths transcend economic considerations and strike at the very heart of society and shared humanity. ’’The tourist industry and economy got a big jerk and jolt as a consequence of the Pahalgam terror attack and it caused fear, worry, grief and anger not only among tourists but in the general populace of J&K as well but the intensity of insecurity ,fear, gloom ,grief and anger was more among tourists and they started leaving Kashmir and this resulted in a big and severe blow to tourism sector. In brief the terrorism is eclipsing tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and it has brought gloom, darkness and fear and insecurity not only to tourists but to the common people of Jammu and Kashmir. Let all the stakeholders, including the general public cooperate with the government in bringing tourism back to health but it will take much time. We pray to God to bring Kashmir again to normalcy and for this all of us should play our positive role so that tourism is again brought to track. At the moment we are justified to comment that terrorism is eclipsing tourism in Jammu and Kashmir read Kashmir.
(Vivek Koul and Omkar Dattatray)
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