Pahalgam terror attack: Massive cancellation in J&K bookings hit state travel agencies

The summer vacation is barely less than a month to start in the schools and colleges and the bookings of the hotels, airlines and railways have fully been booked till Durga Puja, but after the tragic 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, the tourists from West Bengal have cancelled their bookings lock, stock and barrel in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, according to the sources in the offices of different travel agencies based in Kolkata.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

In the terrorist attack at scenic Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam on that ill-fated day, 26 tourists were killed and another 12 tourists were injured critically by the Pakistan-backed terrorists. West Bengal is the largest source market for domestic tourism for Jammu and Kashmir in the country as Bengalis love to visit the valley known as 'Switzerland of Asia' repeatedly to enjoy the scenic beauty and the chilly weather.

"All the bookings have been cancelled by the tourists and tourists are now seeking safer places," said Saptarshi Bhattacharya, director of Par-jatakguru Travel Agency in Kolkata. "The cancellations are taking place for both Kashmir and Ladakh bookings," the travel agencies informed.

"Cancellations are understandable at this stage; however, my greater concern lies in the long-term impact on inbound tourism in the country, especially as the sector is still in a fragile stage in terms of recovery post pandemic. Overall incoming traffic to India from abroad will be affected after the tragic incident," said Debjit Dutta, chairman (West Bengal), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO).