Travel operators fear losses amid drop in J&K tours

Guwahati: Attack on tourists in Pahalgam town of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday has cast a shadow over the businesses of travel operators. They claim that they had only recently begun to see growing interest in tours bound for Kashmir.
City-based travel operators reported that Kashmir had become a popular destination in recent years. However, they now fear that the recent attack might lead to a sharp decline in business.
Bitupan Borah, a city-based travel operator, highlighted rising costs, stating that soaring demand had driven airfares and hotel rates to unprecedented levels. He said operators often prepay for hotels, transport, or activities, many of which are non-refundable. Consequently, cancellations not only impact their clients but also result in significant financial losses for the operators, who earn commissions from bookings. If trips are cancelled, their income is directly affected.
"The cost of flight tickets from Guwahati to Srinagar typically ranges from approximately Rs 9,000 to Rs 25,000, depending on factors such as the airline's quality and the timing of booking. Additionally, staying in three- to four-star hotels can cost between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000. As travel agents, we typically earn a commission of around 5-6% on these bookings, which is not much," Borah said.
Yuvraj Phukan, another city-based travel operator, remarked on the growing interest among tourists from northeastern states in visiting Kashmir. Over the past three to four years, he observed a steady rise in travellers from the region choosing Kashmir as their holiday destination.
"J&K has long been a popular tourist destination and has seen a consistent increase in footfall in recent years, especially during April and May, which mark the peak of the spring season. One major attraction during this period is the Tulip Garden Festival in Srinagar, which is near Pahalgam. The festival draws thousands of visitors eager to witness Asia's largest tulip garden in full bloom. However, after this incident, we expect a significant decline in visitors for a considerable time," Phukan said.
He also pointed out that tourists are often drawn to destinations such as Dal Lake, Vaishno Devi, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg for their scenic beauty.
Recounting a recent experience, Phukan revealed that while he had successfully managed three tour groups, the fourth group — comprising tourists from Arunachal Pradesh — was near Pahalgam when the incident occurred. Gripped by fear, the tourists decided to cut their trip short and return home. However, with no immediate flights available and limited accommodation options far from the area, they were forced to take shelter overnight at their driver's house in Srinagar.
Travel operators confirmed that they typically manage four to five tour groups per month, but this number increases significantly during peak periods. Despite growing interest in the region, enthusiastic tourists are now being turned away due to recent events.