The terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, where armed men opened fire on a group of tourists, has sent shockwaves across India. The entire nation is mourning the loss of lives, especially those who had started returning to the valley, wanting to explore its gorgeous green meadows and majestic snow-capped peaks. As the nation grieves, there have also been reports of travellers slashing plans for a vacation in what has been deemed as one of the busiest tourist spots in the country. The barbaric attacks have reignited concerns about the state of tourist safety in Jammu and Kashmir.
Iftikhar Hussain, who works as a cab driver in Srinagar says, "I was in Pahalgam with tourists when the attack took place. Petrified with what had happened, we rushed to a deserted area. We have time and again seen that past incidents have significantly impacted tourist numbers and we will likely face the same now." He further added, "This will also impact the agriculture and horticulture sectors, not just for days but for years to come."
Staff members of some hotels and resorts in Pahalgam, who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity, have revealed that most of their bookings for April have been cancelled.
Post pandemic, in 2023 and 2024, Jammu and Kashmir had started to see a resurgence in tourism. The years witnessed high footfall in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. In 2024, the Amarnath Yatra saw nearly half a million pilgrims, which is a drastic increase from the pandemic years.
However, now, all of that progress is under threat.
The attacks come at a time when people started to believe that Kashmir is free of terrorism and safe to visit. Following the terror attack, tour operators and hotel owners are facing massive rates of cancellations and revised travel plans. Embassies across Europe, North America, and the Middle East are expected to revise travel advisories for people travelling to India.
"Kashmir was indeed seeing a surge in visitors, but such incidents often create uncertainty and fear among people. Locals and tourists alike are understandably concerned. The fear instilled by such attacks lingers, raising questions about Kashmir being a safe destination," says Altaf, who is the owner of a travel company in Kashmir.
The attack comes just a few weeks before the highly anticipated Amarnath Yatra is about to begin, making it even more unsettling. The region, once again, is finding itself at the heart of a serious debate on whether it can assure safety for mass events. "As for the Amarnath Yatra, it's crucial that authorities ensure the safety of pilgrims. While it's too early to predict the exact impact, security measures will likely be heightened," says Altaf.
The Pahalgam terror attack has sent a chilling reminder of the region's fragile security. It comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was trying to establish itself as a secure and serene destination. The attack's proximity to the start of the Amarnath Yatra has further raised alarming questions about preparedness and infrastructure to safeguard tourists. Not only have these attacks shadowed over one of India’s most sacred pilgrimages but shaken the trust of Indian and international travellers alike.