Pahalgam terror attack fallout: Shaheen urges LG to provide relief to Kashmir tourism industry

Srinagar, May 06: Janata Dal (United) Jammu and Kashmir president, G M Shaheen on Tuesday appealed to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the Government of India to immediately provide relief and support to all individuals associated with the tourism industry in the union territory.
This follows the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which has led to mass cancellations of tourist bookings and substantial financial losses for local businesses and workers dependent on tourism.
Shaheen expressed deep concern over the economic fallout of the incident, stating that the livelihoods of thousands, including hotel owners, travel agents, pony wallas, tourist guides, and small vendors, are at stake. “The attack has struck a severe blow to the efforts made by both government and private stakeholders to revive Kashmir’s tourism sector, which had started showing signs of significant growth after the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Speaking directly with affected tour operators and hotel owners in Kashmir, the JD(U) leader, according to a statement issued here, acknowledged their growing anxiety about the future of the region’s tourism. “An attack on tourists could devastate the entire sector,” he warned.
Shaheen urged the LG to reopen tourist destinations that have recently been shut down. “Tourists are coming here with courage, sending a message that they are not afraid. But when they see destinations like Aru Valley and Chandanwari closed, it sends the wrong signal,” he said during his visit to Pahalgam, where he met several tourists. “We have enough security forces—deploy them and restore confidence.”
He appealed for the revocation of orders that closed dozens of tourist sites across the valley and called for financial relief packages, including tax waivers and direct support for pony owners, shawl vendors, guides, and travel agents who have suffered great losses due to the decline in tourism.
“The government must stand with the people of Kashmir during this difficult time,” Shaheen added.