Kashmir not a hot spot for tourists this season

LUDHIANA: As the situation continues to be tensed in Kashmir, the residents who are planning to go to tourist destinations are avoiding any plans of going to the Valley. Those planning the vacations, instead prefer hill stations in Himachal Pradesh and Uttranchal. Some are also planning trips to Europe, Thailand and United States.

“Last year, we had eight to ten bookings for Kashmir but this year because of the turbulent situation there, we don’t have a single booking for the Valley. Instead people are going to Thailand at similar cost—Rs 30,000 to Rs 32,000. Also this year a lot of people have booked packages for Europe and United States,” said Rupjeet Saggar of a popular tour and travel agency on Pakhowal Road.

Officials of many tour and travel agencies in the city said there are not many queries for Kashmir as a tourist destination this year. “We didn’t get even a single query for Kashmir in the ongoing vacation season. Instead people are asking for tourist destinations in Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh and Uttranchal,” said Rakesh Thakur of another travel and tours agency.

Meanwhile, some travel and tour agents said people are going to Ladakh for tours. “In the Jammu and Kashmir state, we have maximum queries for Ladakh as it is a popular tourist destination. Though I won’t say that Kashmir is not getting that attention of tourists,” said Sandeep, a travel and tour agency owner from city.

Many residents say that though they would love to go to Kashmir but the situation there doesn’t seem to be good.

“Kashmir has been among the best tourist destinations in the country and it is comparable to Europe. However, the reports from there for the past many months suggest that all is not well there. A person goes with family to tourist destination for relaxation but right now I don’t think that we will be able to achieve that in the Valley,” said Bikramjeet Singh, a businessman from city.

However there are many who are going to Kashmir Valley for Amarnath Yatra.

“I and my friends are planning to go to Kashmir for Amarnath Yatra and hopefully to Sonamarg and Gulmarg as well after that. These places have been my favourite since childhood days,” said Vishal, a youth from city.