The serene valleys of Jammu and Kashmir, once echoing with the laughter of tourists and the chimes of local marketplaces, have fallen into a chilling silence. The terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, that claimed 26 innocent lives, has not only devastated families but has also cast a long shadow over the Union Territory’s tourism economy.
Massive Booking Cancellations Across Tourist Hotspots
According to local hotel owners and travel operators, more than 90% of hotel bookings across Kashmir have been cancelled following the attack. Key destinations like Gulmarg, Hazratbal, Hazan Valley, and even the picturesque Tulip Garden in Srinagar are witnessing an unprecedented drop in footfall.
What should have been the beginning of a vibrant summer tourism season has turned into a season of mourning and economic instability.
Empty Streets, Deserted Markets, and Silent Hotels
Kashmir’s streets, once bustling with activity, now present a ghost-town-like appearance. Marketplaces are deserted, taxis stand idle, and hotel lobbies echo with silence. Local business owners shared their deep concerns with the media. One hotel owner from Pahalgam revealed:
“For the last few days, not a single tourist has checked in. We are canceling bookings non-stop. If this continues, we will be forced to shut down entirely.”
Multiple Crises Over the Years: COVID, Conflict, and Now Terror
The region’s tourism industry, which contributes significantly to local employment, has faced repeated shocks in recent years—from the COVID-19 pandemic to frequent political unrest and communal tensions. This latest terrorist attack has left many wondering whether Kashmir’s hospitality sector can survive another blow.
A local hotelier expressed his despair:
“First COVID, then curfews and tensions, and now this. Every time we try to stand up, something drags us back down. Hundreds of families depend on this industry, and now even basic survival is in question.”
Threat to Livelihoods and Rising Unemployment
The most tragic fallout is the threat to thousands of jobs. Many hotels and travel companies have already started considering layoffs, unable to pay salaries in the absence of business. Taxi drivers, guides, shikara operators, and vendors—who survive on daily income—are also staring at an uncertain future.
“If we shut down, our staff will have no income. How will they feed their children?” asked another hotel owner from Gulmarg.
A Cry for Stability and Support
The people of Jammu and Kashmir are now calling on both state and central authorities for support—financial relief, security assurances, and most importantly, restoration of normalcy. Only with stability and safety can Kashmir reclaim its image as a safe haven for tourists.
As one local businessman rightly said:
“Tourism is our backbone. If it breaks again, we will be left with nothing but despair.”