Tourism rebounds cautiously

Over 70,000 pilgrims have already made the arduous journey to the Amarnath cave shrine in the first four days, offering a much-needed boost to Kashmir’s shaken tourism sector following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, including 25 tourists and one pony operator. In its aftermath, hotel bookings drastically dropped, and a deep sense of anxiety gripped both visitors and local stakeholders.

Now, slowly and cautiously, a sense of normalcy appears to be returning. The yatra’s smooth conduct so far, passing through the same routes that were overshadowed by fear not long ago, has reassured many that Kashmir is on the mend. Hotel occupancy is improving, and the health resorts are once again witnessing an increasing footfall.

For many in the tourism sector, this influx of pilgrims has come as a source of hope. The fear that had set in after the Pahalgam attack is beginning to ease. The recent government measures and the yatra have helped change the narrative. Pilgrims are visiting other areas of the Valley too, which gives confidence to regular tourists.

The launch of the Katra-Kashmir railway service and additional Vande Bharat Express services have significantly improved access to the Valley. This has reduced travel time and widened the base of potential visitors, apart from pilgrims.

The Union Ministry of Tourism is hosting the National Tourism Secretaries’ Conference in Srinagar on July 7–8. This is putting the focus back on the region and reassuring the people in the country that Kashmir is safe for tourists.

This follows the recent visit of Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat during which he expressed confidence that Kashmir’s tourism numbers could return to pre-attack levels by the end of the year. He urged Indians to rediscover Kashmir, not just for its scenic beauty but for its cultural and civilisational treasures.

Tourism in Kashmir has always been more than an economic activity. It is one of the mainstays of Kashmir economy. So, its slow and steady recovery is a cause for cautious hope not just for thousands of tourism stakeholders but the Kashmir economy, which gets a leg up by the influx of tourists, increased spending in hospitality and transport sectors, and the revival of associated livelihoods.