The Pahalgam attack severely impact Kashmir tourism. 90% of Kashmir bookings got cancelled. Over 60% of travellers scrapped their plans. Airlines recorded 15,000+ flight cancellations. Initially, 35% of all Kashmir bookings were cancelled. This number is increasing rapidly.
The recent Pahalgam attack in Jammu & Kashmir is hurting India’s tourism economy. Twenty-six civilians died in this attack. Now, Kashmir, once a dream destination, feels unsafe. This incident caused many cancellations. Travel-based startups across India are suffering.
Pahalgam Attack Impact Kashmir Tourism Startups
India has many growing travel startups. MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Goibibo, and Ixigo are some examples. Newer startups focus on unique travel experiences. The Pahalgam attack hit them hard. April to July is the best season for Kashmir tourism. Bookings are usually done months in advance. Due to cancellations:
- Travel companies may lose hundreds of crores in revenue. This could continue through May.
- Startups focusing on customized tours face up to an 80% revenue drop in the next quarter. These include treks, homestays, and guided tours.
- Refund requests have greatly increased. Cox & Kings and MakeMyTrip offer full refunds to protect their reputation.
Economic Impact
Srinagar usually has 60,000 to 70,000 weekly air passengers. With 15,000 cancellations in two days, one in four tourists cancelled. Hotel occupancy in Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam dropped significantly. Many hotels are waiving cancellation fees. Online travel companies are focusing on customer support and refunds instead of growth.
Jammu & Kashmir has seen instability before. However, the Pahalgam attack near tourist areas created fear among travellers. One tourist said they will only remember the attack location.
Recovery Efforts
The government is trying to control the damage. The Tourism Minister is talking to stakeholders. They want to reduce long-term damage. However, recovery may take months. This depends on security during the Amarnath Yatra in June. Tourism groups are asking startups to stay in Kashmir. They believe in long-term opportunities. But, new investments will likely stop for the next six months.
