Tourism sector breathes again, Diwali holidays bring visitors back to Valley

Srinagar, Oct 25: After months of gloom that followed the Pahalgam attack, Kashmir’s tourism industry is showing signs of revival as a fresh wave of visitors has begun arriving with the onset of Diwali holidays. The renewed tourist movement has rekindled activity at popular destinations such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg, bringing much-needed relief to thousands of people associated with the tourism sector.
Sources in the tourism department said that the attack had dealt a severe blow to the local economy, leaving lakhs of people, particularly hoteliers, transporters, and tour guides, without work. Many hotel owners and transport operators had been forced to send their staff on unpaid leave amid a sharp fall in tourist arrivals.
“Business had completely stopped after the Pahalgam incident. I had purchased a vehicle on private finance, but when tourists stopped coming, I failed to pay my loan installments and eventually had to sell my vehicle worth ten and a half lakh rupees for just eight and a half lakh,” said Hilal Ahmad, a local transporter.
Several others narrated similar hardships. Many transporters who had taken bank loans to buy vehicles said they suffered mental distress due to mounting loan pressure and lack of income. Some were compelled to sell their vehicles at a loss, while others struggled to make ends meet.
However, the start of the festive season has changed the mood. “With Diwali holidays, tourists are once again visiting the Valley, and places like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg are regaining their lost charm,” said Wali Akbar, who works in the tourism trade. “We are hopeful that with winter approaching, the inflow will further increase.”
In Sonamarg, tourists expressed delight over their visit to Kashmir. “We had planned this trip before the Pahalgam attack, and we’re happy we didn’t cancel it. The natural beauty and hospitality of the people are unmatched. Kashmir truly is paradise on earth,” said Momin Sheikh, a tourist from Mumbai.
Another visitor, Raj Kumar, who was in Kashmir for the first time, described the experience as unforgettable. “The people are warm, the scenery breathtaking, and the snow-clad mountains mesmerizing. I urge everyone to visit Kashmir and witness its beauty firsthand,” he said.
The gradual return of tourists has restored confidence among those dependent on the sector, who hope that the coming winter season will bring sustained growth and stability to Kashmir’s tourism industry. [KNT]