Attack designed to undermine tourism industry, says KCCI

Tourist bodies in the Valley on Tuesday unequivocally condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and termed it as a “huge setback” to the tourism industry. Rauf A Tramboo, president of Travel Agents’ Association of Kashmir, said, “It is an attack on tourism. We have never seen such an attack on tourists.”

He said it was the saddest day for the tourism industry that guests were targeted in such a manner. “All the tourism industry stakeholders condemn it equally,” said Rouf.

According to Rouf, the attack had shaken the entire tourism industry. “I am getting calls from people. It has given a wrong signal outside... and it will create a negative image about Kashmir. We were having a very good tourism season,” he said.

Over the last few years, there has been a huge increase in domestic tourists in Kashmir. In 2024, 2.36 crore tourists visited the UT — the highest-ever figure.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the top trade body in the Valley, expressed deep anguish over the attack and strongly condemned the dastardly act of violence.

The KCCI demanded that the authorities investigate the gruesome attack on a fast-track basis and ensure that the culprits were swiftly brought to justice.

The top body said it believed the targeted attack was clearly designed to harm Kashmir’s reputation and undermine the flourishing tourism industry.

“I am speechless. We have full sympathy with the victims,” said Farooq Ahmed Kathoo, a Srinagar-based tourism expert.

He said, “We have started receiving distress calls. Some people want to cancel their bookings. It is going to impact tourism and people badly.”