The Biz Reporter
Srinagar: A meeting of heads of tourism organisations, representatives of the hospitality sector including hotels and houseboats, as well as travel trade bodies was convened today by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry to review the severe downturn currently gripping the Valley’s tourism sector.
The representatives expressed deep anguish over past and recent incidents, noting that these developments have triggered a sharp and prolonged decline in tourist arrivals. Hotels and houseboats are witnessing extremely low occupancy, travel agencies are reporting negligible movement, and major tourist destinations remain deserted. This slump has created intense financial distress across the hospitality and travel ecosystem.
Participants observed that the downturn has had far-reaching implications for Kashmir’s wider economy. Tourism remains one of the Valley’s most vital pillars of livelihood, sustaining lakhs of families directly and indirectly. With business collapsing, unemployment is rising and revenues have fallen to unsustainable levels.
It was highlighted that many hotel owners, houseboat operators, transporters and tour operators are struggling to meet basic financial commitments. A large number are unable to repay bank loans, or clear power and service-related dues, as earnings have sharply declined while operational costs continue to mount. This has pushed vast sections of the sector to the brink of default, worsening the economic strain.
Stakeholders further pointed out that the crisis has severely impacted daily wage earners, shikarawalas, taxi drivers, ponywallahs, tourist guides, artisans and others who depend entirely on the tourism cycle. The disruption has hit the entire chain, leaving thousands of individuals and families vulnerable.
KCCI expressed solidarity with the stakeholders and stressed the urgent need for government intervention to prevent further deterioration.
The meeting also underscored the necessity of a sustained tourism promotion campaign. Restoring the confidence of travellers and countering negative perceptions about Kashmir, the participants said, must now be a top priority. Strong, well-coordinated promotional efforts across domestic and international markets are essential to revive tourist arrivals and enable the sector to recover from the current crisis.
