Pahalgam's Tourism Plummets After Tragic Terror Attack
Pahalgam's Struggles Post-Attack
Pahalgam, once a vibrant tourist destination, now shows the aftermath of a horrific terror attack that occurred on April 22 in Baisaran Valley, resulting in the loss of 26 lives, primarily tourists. A month later, the scenic area resembles a deserted town, with armed forces from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and Indian Army overseeing checkpoints and patrolling the unusually quiet streets.
This attack, marking one of the deadliest incidents against civilians in India in recent history, has severely impacted Pahalgam's tourism-dependent economy, casting a pall over the region's renowned beauty. Local businesses are suffering greatly, with many shopkeepers expressing their frustration over the drastic drop in tourist numbers. Shakeel Ahmad, a local vendor, shared, “Our business has been completely devastated since the attack. We sit outside our shops, hoping for any customers to arrive.”
The hospitality industry is also facing significant challenges, with reports indicating that 90% of hotels in Pahalgam are either shuttered or operating with minimal occupancy rates. Cancellations have surged, surpassing 130,000 bookings. Restaurants and tea stalls, once bustling with tourists enjoying Kashmiri, Punjabi, and Chinese dishes, now sit empty. A local restaurant worker remarked, “We used to serve hundreds of customers daily. Now, we’re lucky if one or two tables are occupied.”
The closure of shops selling Pashmina shawls, saffron, and other souvenirs has exacerbated the economic downturn. Many vendors have moved to Srinagar in search of new job opportunities as the tourism sector continues to falter. The timing of the attack, just before the peak summer season, has dashed hopes for a successful year, with losses estimated in crores.
Despite these difficulties, a few tourists are still cautiously visiting Pahalgam. They are limited to the selfie-point and main market, as other popular spots like Baisaran Valley, Betab Valley, and Aaru remain closed. A group of tourists from North India expressed their initial concerns about traveling to Kashmir but were pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the locals and the strong security measures in place. “We came here to counter the terrorists’ attempts to intimidate tourists,” one female tourist stated.