In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu promised people that the government is keen to restore tourism in Kashmir and restore the confidence of tourists. During a visit to Srinagar, the Minister said, "The government will do everything possible to send tourists back to Kashmir. Tourism is not only the soul of this region's economy but also its identity."
The brutal assault, carried out in early May, took the lives of over two dozen people and was followed by mass panic, which brought tourist arrivals plummeting. There were cancellations of bookings across the Valley, and many travelers raced to leave. The Ministry of Civil Aviation acted swiftly by arranging additional flights from Srinagar to key cities like Delhi and Mumbai to enable tourists to be repatriated in safety.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has now directed airlines to increase the frequency of flights arriving and departing from Srinagar and stabilize fares, which had increased because of high demand. The airlines have also been directed to offer hassle-free refunds to passengers who had canceled their journey after the attack.
"We are going in a real direction to make travel to Kashmir safer, simpler, and economical. The Valley should be admired, not feared," said Minister Naidu. He claimed that it would be the government's priority in the coming weeks to give a peaceful environment and bring tourists' confidence back. Local tourism stakeholders have also approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a public call to visit Kashmir. Tour operators and hoteliers assert that if such an appeal by the top leadership could indeed go a long way in rebuilding public confidence and reviving the economy that is tourism-based.
As summer approaches—typically tourist season in full swing in Kashmir—the government steps are intended to reassure and galvanize both tourists and home industry. With added security measures, infrastructural enhancement, and governmental patronage, authorities hope that the Valley can once more greet tourists warmly and its accustomed natural beauty.
