Kochi, Sep 13: The Pahalgam terror attack severely affected Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector, causing losses worth crores, said JKNC MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Saturday. Speaking at the Urban Conclave in Kerala, Sadiq, also the chief spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, highlighted how hundreds of hotel and shikara bookings were cancelled following the April 22 attack that killed 26 tourists in the Pahalgam area.
“Every booking was cancelled as tourists were apprehensive after the attack. It crippled our tourism industry,” he said. However, Sadiq noted that tourism in the Union Territory has gradually bounced back, attributing the revival to support from across the country.
He also drew attention to the struggles of apple farmers, who faced losses due to political instability and transport disruptions between Srinagar and other parts of the UT. Sadiq praised the recently introduced freight train service for aiding the sector’s recovery and urged an increase in its frequency.
Congratulating the Kerala government for organizing the Urban Conclave, Sadiq said J&K could learn from Kerala’s planned development and tourism strategies, and emphasized the need to plan for extreme weather events that frequently impact the region.
“The conclave provides valuable insights, and we aim to replicate such policies in Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen tourism and overall development,” he added.