Flood in Kashmir-File photo
Jammu, November 10, (Scoop News)_Considered as a heaven for tourist, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has suffered hugely due to devastating floods, ASSOCHAM has observed that thousands of tourists who had
earlier planned their Christmas and New Year vacation in the valley next month are on the spree of cancellation of their booking and exploring other tourist centers.
The largest employment provider tourism sector in Kashmir has been hit to the extent of 55% in post-flood disaster, according to quick random survey undertaken by ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF) in
the last two months.
The peak season for domestic tourists going to Kashmir are mainly in October, November and December. The major shares of travelers from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai people have re-scheduled
their annual leaves during the Christmas and New Year season.
There is a steep fall in tourism business to the extent of 55% in Kashmir, adds the ASSOCHAM study. “Floods in Kashmir have not only destroyed tourist infrastructure like hotels, bed and breakfast inns
and restaurants but set back tourism for the entire state by at least five years”, adds the ASSOCHAM report.
The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) surveyed 450 tour operators from different cities and reveals that there is about 70-75 per cent cancellation of hotel rooms, airlines,
trains have already taken place for Kashmir for the next 3-4 months.
People fear of being trapped and therefore cancelling their trips, said D. S. Rawat, Secretary General while releasing the ASSOCHAM paper.
Nearly around 75% of travellers to J&K have cancelled their trips to Kashmir and the rest are thinking twice now and are looking for alternate travel plans besides cancellation of the existing tour.
The study reveals that tourists are opting for “safer places” like Rajasthan, Goa even Kerala to spend their holidays. The report further adds that destinations like Jaipur, Agra, Udaipur and Mount Abu have
benefited the most with travelers making last minute bookings post shifting of their holiday plans.
Majority of the tour operators reported that people are scared to travel to the state even after the situation returns to normal, adds the paper.
Hotels in destinations like Gulmarg, Palampur, Ladakh, which are largely unaffected by the natural calamity, is facing a near total cancellation in bookings.
The hotspots include Dal Lake, Gulmarg and Vaishno Devi shrine. More than 35,000-45,000 rooms are available in Srinagar for guests in various types of boarding houses and lodges.
The paper further points out that people who make living on the tourism in Kashmir are badly affected. These people earn enough money in six months to make a living for throughout the year. Some are
migrating to other states and start over again, adds Mr. Rawat.
The paper asserted the cost of damages occurred to housing properties, crops, livestock, tourism- the prime livelihood in the affected area, destruction of transport and communication systems and breakdown of
public and rural extension services, adds Mr. Rawat.
SOURCE http://scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=42274