Tourist count still low, Amritsar hotels expect past levels by year-end

Tourists have started returning to Amritsar, albeit in smaller numbers, after the city saw a sharp dip in visitors due to border hostilities between India and Pakistan that lasted four days last month.

The border tensions between the two countries had escalated after India targeted terror camps inside Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack that had claimed 26 lives.

Jitender Pal Sohal, general manager of a high-end hotel, said the occupancy at luxury hotels across the city had dropped to around 10 per cent of the footfall on normal days.

He said the tourism industry was once again hoping to reach the previous levels, but it would take time.

“Tourists are returning but the recovery is extremely slow,” he said, adding that the previous levels could only be achieved by the last quarter of this calendar year.

Gurinder Singh Johal, a tourist guide, said due to the border conflict, tourists from southern states of the country preferred hill stations in Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and north-east to the city.

Surinder Singh, who operates a couple of hotels near the Golden Temple, said mostly tourists were coming from parts of Punjab.

“They return to their place by the evening, while others prefer budget hotels,” he added.