The tourist arrivals to Kashmir have taken hit after the killing of Hizb commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat in an encounter on May 27.
The months of May and June are considered to be the peak tourist season in Kashmir. The tourist arrivals had started to pick up and the service providers were hopping earning returns this year. However, the May 27 killing of Sabzar has again put dampener in the tourism activity.
Secretary General Travel Agents Association of Kashmir Farooq Ahmed Kuthoo said there is a drastic change in tourists arrival after Sabzar’s killing.
“Most of the bookings have been cancelled by the tourists. Before killing of Sabzar, we had 30 percent of bookings but as of now there are only about 10 percent bookings. The enquiries from travel agents and the clients about Kashmir tour packages have declined,” said Kuthoo.
Pesident Shikara Union Wali Mohammad the tourist arrival had just started to pick up and they were expecting good season.
“But now we don’t even expect 2 percent of tourist arrival.”
He said there are 3700 shikaras wallas at 37 ghats on boulevard.
“We are without any business now. We are suffering losses only.”
Last year, tourists were coming in large numbers to Kashmir before Hizb’s poster boy Burhan Wani was killed.
“There are no tourists in Kashmir now. Our livelihood is dependent on the income we get from ferrying tourists in Shikara,” said a Shikara rower Abdul Razaq.
Razaq said they sold their belongings for the survival,
“We are running short of money. Tourists are scared to visit Kashmir. The Indian news channels also portray Kashmir badly,” added Razaq.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mehmood Ahmed Shah said they are promoting Kashmir vigorously.
“We are conducting FAM tours for tour operators from outside who promote Kashmir. We have launched vigorous tourism promotional campaigns through social media and we develop positive stories which attract tourists. We are taking these steps in order to offset the negative perception.”
Sabzar Bhat’s killing hits tourism industry
