Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 13: With the tourism industry getting ready for the new season, people associated with this sector are worried over the prevailing situation in the valley.
They believe if the present disturbance continuous, tourism will be adversely affected.
"We don't know whether any tourists would like to visit if the killings continue," Mohammad Sharif, who runs a hotel, said.
He said that two militant attacks in the last two weeks in Srinagar may further deteriorate the situation.
"When attacks take place in Srinagar it has a huge impact on the tourism sector," he said.
The present situation is giving us sleepless nights to Mohammad Sharif, who is a sumo driver. "We are apprehensive what will happen this year. We won't be able to feed the family if the prevailing situation continuous," Sharif said.
He said the tourism industry gets worst affected whenever there is any law and order problem in the Valley. It is believed to be one of the primary sources of revenue generation for the state.
However, the disturbance for the last two weeks even in Srinagar has dampened the spirits in Kashmir's tourism industry once again.
"The cancellations of tourists who were willing to visit the Valley have increased for the past 10 days," Mohsin Ahmad, who runs a travel agency, said.
He said the disturbance in Kashmir become a boon for the neighboring states of J&K. "The enquiries for the coming month look bleak as tourists want to see how the situation will remain. If the situation will continue for some more time, then it will be a huge setback for the tourism industry here," Ahmad said.
In less than 10 days, militants have chosen vicinity of Karanagar in Srinagar to target security forces. Attacks in Srinagar tourism players believe have a huge impact on the tourism sector.
"Earlier attacks would take place only in south Kashmir. But we are now worried that attacks are being carried out even in Srinagar," they said.
People have a lot of expectation as Kashmir was getting ready to usher in the new season after putting behind memories unrest and disturbance in the last few years.
"Let us hope that killings stop here. Government too should think over it seriously and act strictly against those who disturb the peace," he added. |
