Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, May 12: The Kashmir hoteliers on Monday said a big announcement will be made in the tourism sector soon and that they will soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Addressing a press conference here, prominent hotelier and president of Hoteliers Club Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya, said there is a good news that 32 airports have started functioning again and the people of Kashmir, like other parts of India, are happy with the decision as it will mark a beginning of tourist arrival again.
“We are expecting a flow of tourists again. Many families are dependent on the tourism sector. We appeal to the people across India to visit Kashmir again,” he said.
He added that the sector has witnessed huge losses, but none of the employees have been fired by the hoteliers or others so far, as everyone is hopeful of resumption in tourism activities. “Time is the best healer. The situation has improved and they (tourists) will come to the Valley again to enjoy. Kashmir is theirs and they are ours,” he said while replying to a query.
When asked about the arrival of tourists again following the Pahalgam tragedy that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead, Chaya said, “We are meeting the Lieutenant Governor soon and a big announcement will be made by him and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. I can’t share the details at present, but you will be informed of it shortly. We will also meet the Prime Minister soon; his voice is strong for the whole nation.”
He clarified that advisories have been issued by America and not India. “India is enough for us,” he said, adding that the reply to the Pahalgam carnage has been given and there was no issue now that could deter the tourists from visiting Kashmir.
Pertinently, the tourist footfall declined in the valley following the Pahalgam killings on April 22, 2025. The tour operators had reported cancellation of bookings, which affected the tourism sector.
