Pahalgam terror attack: After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, several travel agencies in Delhi said on Wednesday that about 90 percent of the bookings made by tourists for Jammu and Kashmir have been canceled due to security reasons.
Gaurav Rathi, the owner of Swan Travelers located at Shankar Market at Outer Circle of Connaught Place, said that about 25 people have requested to cancel their booking for Jammu and Kashmir. He said that most of the tourists had planned to come to Kashmir next month, but now they are demanding to cancel it. According to information given by travel agencies in Delhi, about 90 percent of the booking for Kashmir has been canceled, while some tourists are now looking for alternative destinations.
Dev, the owner of Kusha Travels, said, “We had made a booking for some families. From bus and flight tickets to hotel – everything was already booked. But as soon as we heard the news of the terror attack, we started calling to cancel the booking.”
Most bookings were made at popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Hajan Valley and Tulip Garden. Karthik Verma, travel agent of Good Guide Tour and Travels, said, “We had more than 20 bookings for Kashmir this month and next month, but almost all have been canceled indefinitely.” He said, “People are asking for money back. They say they cannot take their loved ones in a place where there is no guarantee of return.”
Karthik Verma said that since some bookings, especially flights and hotels, are non -refundable, this has created a big problem for travel agencies. Kashmir is currently one of the most preferred sites for families. Another travel agency ‘Swastik Travels’ said that Kashmir is not only the first choice of Delhiites, but also there is a huge demand among tourists planning to visit Delhi and later.
Another agency, AJ Tour and Travels said that it had received instructions from Srinagar Travel Association to stop all booking and transport for Jammu and Kashmir. The agency said, “We have been instructed not to accept any new booking for Jammu and Kashmir until next information.”
The Pahalgam attack is the deadliest attack in the valley after the Pulwama attack in 2019. According to a senior official, the dead include two foreigners and two local, but refused to give more information.
He also said, “Not only Kashmir, now people are also afraid to go to Jammu. We had booked seven families going to Katra to see Vaishno Devi and have been canceled after this horrific attack.”
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