Pahalgam attack: Centre requires tourism operators, hotels to abandon cancellations for J&K reservations

Visitors left the hotel on April 23, 2025 in the Pahalgam area of ​​Anantnag, South Kashmir, after at least 26 people were killed. |Photo source: Imran Nissar

With the massive cancellation of scheduled trips in Jamu and Kashmir following the Pahargam attack, the Alliance Tourism Ministry asked travel and tourism operators on Wednesday, online travel aggregators, hotel operators, other stakeholders and other stakeholders to provide tourists with all possible assistance, including exemption from cancellations.

Sources from the Indian Tourism Operators Association (IATO) said 35% of bookings for booking trips to J&K had been cancelled until Wednesday afternoon.

The instructions of the union’s Tourism Minister V. Vidyavathi said: “This is after the recent incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. All travel service providers, travel agencies, tour operators, tour operators, online travelers (OTAS), tour providers, hotel providers, hotel assistants and all other possible travelers including all travelers and all other possible services. Thank you very much.”

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The persons sent to the communiqué include Makemytrip, Yatra, Goibibo, Clear Trip, EasemyTrip, Ixigo, Airbnb, Airbnb, Agoda, Tillillopilia, Booking.com, and all Expedia Tourism and Hospitality Associations.

At an event earlier in the day, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said his ministry will do its best to minimize it after the attack.

“I also keep in touch with everyone, and my office is also in touch with Jamu and Kashmir’s chief secretary. And, due to this incident and the national tourism industry, we will do our best to put our tourism industry into a dent.”

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A total of 26 tourists were killed in a terrorist attack in Pahargam on Tuesday.

Tourism stakeholders said the attack would have a profound impact on the domestic tourism industry and affect the livelihoods of many in Jamu and Kashmir.

“This violent attack on innocent tourists will have a very negative impact on domestic tourism and international tourism in Jamu & Kashmir, and although there are fewer international tourists, the scope of consultations has been reduced due to consultations issued by various countries because of consultations issued by various countries. So far, the fleeing has continued in the short term. Backward.”

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He added: “IATO members have been promoting and selling Jamu & Kashmir travel packages and will continue to do so, this terrorist activity will not affect our ethics in supporting Jamu & Kashmir’s tourism industry.”

Faith said the attack was “a cruel blow to thousands of families who depend on the tourism industry”.

A MakemyTrip spokesman said: “Our ground team is supporting travelers with its capabilities. We remain committed to providing ongoing assistance to our customers and partners during this difficult time.”

A statement from the travel agency Cox and Kings said it has announced “100% refund and full flexibility, with no issues with all Kashmir travel bookings”.