- विज्ञापन -
After the Pahalgam attack, the number of tourists in Himachal Pradesh has decreased due to tension on the borders. After the start of the summer tourist season, bookings are low for the second consecutive weekend. Tourists at Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Dharamshala, Kasauli and Chail, and other tourist destinations are less than expected. During the tourist season, tourists are reaching the tourist destinations from selected states of North India. Every year, a large number of tourists from South India reach the tourist destinations of the state to get relief from the scorching heat.
The tourism business gets a boost when large groups of tourists come from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, but after the Pahalgam incident, tourists from South India have started cancelling bookings. Tourism businessmen believe that the tension on the border is the main reason. Manu Sood, General Secretary of the Travel Agents Association, says that group bookings are being cancelled due to terrorist incidents and tension on the border. If everything goes well, the summer tourist season will pick up pace in June.
The number of tourists has also declined in Kullu’s Jibhi and Kasol valleys. Kishan Chauhan, president of Jibhi Valley Tourism Development Association, says that due to the terror attack and the poor condition of the NH around Mangalore between Aut and Jibhi, there are fewer tourists. Occupancy in hotels, homestays and guest houses is only 50 percent.
Tourists who have been affected by the Pahalgam terror attack are also avoiding coming to Himachal. Especially, tourists from South India consider Himachal and Kashmir to be the same. Inquiries are coming for after May 15 but bookings are not getting confirmed. It is expected that the season will pick up pace after May 15.
