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| Tourism prospects in Kashmir | | EDITORIAL | |
Tourism which is the main stay of the economy of Kashmir, has suffered
a big jolt as a result of serial terrorist strikes on the visiting
tourists to Kashmir, during last two months. In fact tourism had
picked up in Kashmir during last few years, after a prolonged
recession for more than a decade, due to high level militancy in the
valley. This year in particular bumper tourism was expected as the
concerted efforts of the government and its symptoms were available
with a large number of tourists pouring into the valley right from
April last onwards. This had brought a smile on the faces of all those
who earn their living through tourism. The owners of hotels, lodges,
houseboats, the shikara walas, the dealers in Kashmir handicrafts and
even taxi operators had the reason to rejoice over prospects of good
tourist season. But the smile on their faces soon disappeared and a
despair instead took place in their minds. The volley of attacks by
the terrorists, particularly targeting the tourists was bound to scare
away them. It goes to the credit of the tourists that at the initial
stages of fresh spurt in militancy in Kashmir, with tourists being
selectively made the targets, they acted bravely and made their stay
put in Kashmir. While no bookings were cancelled, fresh arrivals also
were visible. But when the terrorists struck repeatedly on the tourist
buses, lobbing grenades, as well as triggering explosions at some
tourist spots, the adverse affect on tourism was bound to be there.
However daring and courageous the visitors from outside may be, no one
would like to spend his leisure and holiday under the shadow of guns
and bombs. The tourists come for enjoyment to stay in a comfortable,
cozy and relaxed atmosphere. But where they are under constant fear of
being killed or graviously injured, no one would like to be
adventurous enough to put stay at such a place. Hence the tourists
fled away and the new bookings were cancelled. All this is causing
great anxiety to the traders connected with tourism and they have
reason to lament over the situation. The heavy tourist season in
Kashmir, even during normal times was from mid April to mid June. Late
June, July and first half of August always used to be a dull season
from tourism point of view, since the weather would become sultry
during this period of the year in most parts of the valley. This year
these months witnessed exceptionally hot and sultry climate. Now the
second tourist season is going to start past mid August to last upto
November end, which is the autumn season with colourful flowers and
Chinar trees presenting a panorama of beauty. The authorities shall
have to be extra careful and vigil to ward off any violent incident in
the valley, to ensure good tourism season. However all the efforts and
hard work done in the past to create confidence among the prospective
visitors has almost been washed out by the acts of terrorists who have
launched war on the economy of the state and who are bent upon
starving the common man in Kashmir. Fresh efforts shall have to be
made and a comprehensive action program shall have to be taken in hand
to restore the confidence among the prospective visitors to Kashmir
about the conditions having been normal here and the ability of the
government to provide them due protection. However it was advisable on
the part of state government, if with all the earnestness alternative
tourist destinations in Jammu region, which is comparatively much
safer, were explored and tourists encouraged to visit these, so that
when the conditions again return to perfect normalcy in the valley
these tourists can take sojourn there.
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