Pahalgam attack: 70% of tour bookings from Sangam city for J&K cancelled

Prayagraj: In the aftermath of a terror attack in Pahalgam, many locals who made prior bookings for Kashmir for May and June months have either cancelled their bookings or appealed to divert them to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and north-east states.

City-based travel agencies claimed that over 70% of bookings for Kashmir were put on hold or cancelled by the travelers after the Pahalgam incident. "Many travelers have sought cancelation of their bookings to Kashmir. Most had their visits planned in the next two months," said Rahul Khare, owner of a city-based travel agency.

The April 22 attack on tourists in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley left at least 26 people, mostly tourists, dead. A section of travelers is also negotiating to shift their plans to alternative destinations like north-east, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

"We had many bookings from city-based families – from flights to hotel accommodation and local tours in advance, but after the terror attack, we are receiving calls for cancellations or shifting to other states," said another travel agent, adding, "Travelers earlier made bookings to visit Gulmarg, Hajan Valley and Tulip Gardens destinations."

Sarita Pandey, a traveler, told TOI: "I made bookings to visit Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley – often referred to as ‘mini-Switzerland' – but cancelled my trip after the terror incident. My friends and I had planned a trip to Kashmir, but now we are planning to move to north-east in the summer season."