Operators Express Helplessness: We Are Suffering—Whom Can We Share Our Pain ?
We Took Out Loans, and Now the Government Is Demanding Immediate Refunds to Tourists. Where Are We Supposed to Find the Money?
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, April 26 ; Tour operators are not only worried about the immediate fallout but also the long-term impact on Kashmir’s tourism sector. Some remain hopeful that government intervention could mitigate the damage, especially for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra in June.
While the world stands in solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack, the tragedy has dealt a severe blow to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, with the tourism sector bearing the brunt.
Speaking exclusively to Kashmir Despatch, a group of tour operators revealed that nearly 90% of bookings even for the peak winter season in October—have been cancelled.
The government has instructed us to refund tourists promptly, but where do we go from here? Who do we share our suffering with? We, too, are victims, facing massive losses…
Arshid Badro One of Kashmir’s top tour operators in the northern region told Kashmir Despatch 90% of bookings have been cancelled, costing us lakhs. We had made advance payments to hotels, and now we’re forced to return whatever little earnings we had saved. At this stage, what can we do? Where do we arrange funds? We might have to take out fresh loans just to refund tourists.
He added, The government must consider our plight—what is our fault? We are just as devastated and condemn the attack that killed innocent tourists.
Another operator shared that many families who had planned trips to Kashmir are now choosing alternative destinations, with 90% of tourists cancelling their visits, dealing a crippling blow to the industry.
After the Pahalgam massacre, 90% of our bookings for the Amarnath Yatra and summer vacations were canceled overnight. We survived the 2019 Pulwama shock, but this feels like the final blow. Our staff hasn’t been paid in weeks, and banks are refusing fresh loans. We appeal to LG Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah for emergency relief—tax waivers and soft loans—or Kashmir’s tourism backbone will collapse,” said Fayaz Ahmad, who runs a tour and travel company in the summer capital city, Srinagar.
Hakeem Junaid, who also runs a tour and travel company, told Kashmir Despatch, “We rebuilt after 40 CRPF deaths in Pulwama, but 28 tourists gunned down in Pahalgam? This is existential. Our guides, drivers, and hotel partners are drowning in debt. The world sees Kashmir as a warzone again. We beg Lt. Governor Sinha to deploy visible security for tourists, subsidize our losses, or watch an entire industry die.” He added that they are hopeful that tourists will return to the valley soon.
National tour operators held a press conference in Srinagar today, reaffirming Kashmir’s esteemed reputation for hospitality.
“We condemn these attacks, as they harm the livelihoods of local businesses in the tourism sector,” the representatives stated.
They insisted that, despite recent disruptions, Kashmir remains safe for visitors and that they are committed to promoting its scenic beauty and rich culture.
“Our primary focus is on safety, and we want the world to know that Kashmir is a welcoming and secure destination for everyone,” the group added.
Pertinently, Tourism plays a crucial role in the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, accounting for approximately 7-8% of the region’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), valued at around ₹18,500–21,200 crore annually, with the total GSDP at ₹2.65 lakh crore.
The government had set an ambitious goal to boost this contribution to 15% over the next four to five years; however, the recent Pahalgam attack has put those aspirations at risk.
This incident occurred right as the tourist season (April to October) was about to kick off—when hotels, transportation providers, artisans, and local businesses depend heavily on peak revenue generation.
In recent years, Kashmir experienced a notable increase in tourism, with visitor numbers rising from 3.4 million in 2020 to a remarkable 23.6 million in 2024, which included around 65,000 international tourists. Early indicators for 2025 were also encouraging, as Srinagar’s Tulip Garden drew 814,000 visitors within just 26 days.
Now, with mass cancellations, fears loom that the rest of the season could be completely derailed.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
