Uttarakhand: Fear Grips Doon Valley After Pahalgam Terror Attack: Summer Tourism to Kashmir Crumbles

Dehradun: The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, has sent shockwaves through the tourism industry, especially in Uttarakhand’s capital Dehradun, where panic and uncertainty now reign.

The aftermath of the attack has led to an unprecedented wave of cancellations, with almost 100 percent of bookings to Kashmir being withdrawn. Representatives of the International Air Transport Association confirm that this is the first time such widespread cancellations have been recorded. Tourism agents in Dehradun were inundated with calls throughout the day on Wednesday, as frantic travelers sought to cancel flight tickets, hotel reservations, and local transport bookings for trips to the Kashmir region.

Sudhir Kumar, the director of Doon Tours and Travel, noted the remarkable shift in sentiment, saying, “After the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, people planning to go to Jammu and Kashmir are now unwilling to take any risks. Inquiries for cancellations, particularly for the Kashmir region, have flooded our offices.”

A Tourism Collapse

In recent years, Kashmir had regained its reputation as a top summer destination, drawing visitors eager to experience its natural beauty and cultural charm. Manish Sharma, owner of a tour and travel company, revealed that over 200 people from Dehradun alone had planned trips to Kashmir for April. Most of them had already secured their bookings for flights, hotels, and local transportation. However, the chilling events in Pahalgam caused all of these plans to unravel. None of those who had planned to visit now wish to travel to Kashmir, opting to inquire about alternate destinations instead.Surya Prakash, another tour operator, explained how travelers were reacting. “Those who planned to visit Kashmir by their own vehicles easily cancelled their trips. People with flight bookings are scrambling to cancel tickets, but the urgency and fear are clear.” He added that out of the 45 bookings he had for Kashmir in April, every single one was canceled within a day.

Changing Plans Amid Anxiety

Local residents shared their personal experiences, reflecting the widespread unease. Rajeev Verma, a banker from Dehradun, said he had planned a vacation to Kashmir with his family and friends in the month of May. Following the attack, he canceled the trip and is now considering other destinations. Verma expressed his concern, stating, “We are not ready to take any risks in this environment. It’s safer to look elsewhere.”Efforts to Ensure Safety

Meanwhile, residents who are still in Kashmir are contacting taxi operators in Dehradun for help arranging transport to return home. Taxi operators are being queried about their availability and willingness to provide vehicles to Kashmir during this uncertain time. The Pahalgam incident marks a dark chapter for Kashmir’s tourism sector, unraveling years of effort to rebuild its reputation. As fear lingers, summer plans are shifting, and travelers look elsewhere for safety and peace.