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As world celebrates Tourism Day, tourists continue to stay away from Kashmir 9/27/2016 11:39:59 PM Early Times Report Srinagar, Sept 27: As world celebrates " Tourism Day", Tourists continued to stay away from the Kashmir valley due to unrest since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag. However, subsequent massive protests, curfew, restrictions and strike called by separatists forced tourists to stay away from Kashmir, where 84 persons, mostly youths, were killed and over 9500 others were injured in security force and police action. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra has expressed the hope that situation will improve and tourists will visit the valley during winter while government is also making all efforts, including participating in conferences, travel marts and other road shows to attract guests again to Kashmir, where the tourism industry has suffered a loss of Rs 3,000 crore. Majority hotels and guest houses in Srinagar, particularly around famed Dal Lake, Khayam, historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city and on the bank of river Jehlum remained closed with zero occupancy. The hotel owners have also terminated the services of their employees, including cooks and waiters and room attendants. Hundreds of houseboats in the Dal Lake and river Jehlum also remained deserted as all tourist bookings had been cancelled due to unrest since July 9. Shikarawalas, who were taking tourists to Char-Chinari and other places in the lake, were sitting idle waiting for a miracle to happen. However, majority of them are doing other business also. Similar situation prevailed at world famous tourist resorts of Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Yusmarg, Kokernag and other destinations where hotels remained deserted. Horse and pony wallas also were idle though some of them have started working as daily labourers with contractors. However, during this time of the season last year, tourists were struggling to get accommodation in the valley because of heavy rush from all parts of the country. The handicraft and Kashmir Art dealers also were the worst hit due to non arrival of tourists this season. This was worst than 2014 when flood caused devastating destruction in September. This time we lost prime season from July 9, the traders closed since then said. As tourist arrivals to Kashmir have witnessed a sharp decline because of the prevailing situation, development infrastructure projects in the sector have also taken a big hit with serious implications for this key sector of the State's economy.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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