Bengalis, who contribute around 30% to Kashmir’s tourism, accounted for 85% of the cancellations after Pahalgam attack

Bengalis are identified for his or her love for journey and contribute to round 25-30% to Kashmir’s tourism. Nonetheless, the fear assault in Pahalgam has led to a barrage of cancellations (nearly 85%), declare Journey Brokers’ Federation of India (TAFI) and tour operators in Bengal.

The fear assault has despatched shockwaves throughout Bengal’s tourism sector so far as Kashmir is worried, which has been a serious vacationer attraction in the previous couple of years. Consultants consider that the variety of worldwide vacationers visiting India may also be impacted as two foreigners had been killed in Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley.

TAFI estimates that the entire share of vacationers from Bengal who go to Kashmir has been round 25-30%. However now, the cancellations have touched 80-85%.

“The influence of the fear assault on tourism is large. Individuals by no means thought {that a} lay man or vacationer could possibly be killed whereas he was on a vacation. You go there and return in a coffin. Until the time the federal government takes motion, vacationers will likely be apprehensive about travelling to locations like Kashmir,” Anil Punjabi, a nationwide committee member of the TAFI, instructed ET.

“Round 80-85% bookings to Kashmir have been cancelled. Solely 15% are on maintain. When issues are peaceable, you go on holidays. Offline brokers is not going to advocate Kashmir except there’s safety for the travellers,” Punjabi mentioned.

The sentiment stays the identical throughout the nation. “The worst half is that two foreigners have died. Exterior India, they’re showcasing terror in India. They don’t know Kashmir, however India. The whole India is projected as adverse for travelling. We is not going to get overseas vacationers and there will likely be foreign money loss as nicely,” Punjabi instructed ET.Kashmir had returned to regular and post-pandemic, tourism had seen a surge.Akash Kundu, proprietor of Kolkata-based Discover India journey company, instructed ET, that the demand has been so large that bookings for 2026 January and February had been full and a number of journeys had already been booked.

“We had been unable to accommodate individuals. The identical occurred in February this 12 months. From Might until August, throughout the peak season, the bookings had been choc-a-bloc. Now, there are cancellations but in addition requests for rerouting to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and different locations. Immediately solely, now we have acquired such requests. We is not going to advocate Kashmir as a result of security of vacationers. We’re suggesting various vacationer locations equivalent to Himachal Pradesh, Spiti or Ladakh.”

Kundu mentioned the worry issue is excessive. “Nonetheless, some have reached Kashmir and wish to full the journey, however wish to keep away from Pahalgam. Some have gone to Sonmarg and Gulmarg right this moment. We have now a gaggle from Kharagpur who’re in Kashmir now. We have now eliminated Pahalgam from their itinerary and the expenditure will likely be deducted and refunded. We’re in fixed contact with the teams in Kashmir,” he mentioned.