KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, April 24: Pahalgam’s barbaric massacre of innocent tourists has taken its toll on the travel agencies operating from the cities across the country, including the steel city of Jamshedpur.
Over a dozen travel agencies, which were anticipating a thriving business this summer by offering tour packages to Kashmir this summer stopped booking abruptly as soon as the news of militants’ attack on tourists spread across.
Decision Taken Out of Protest, Not Fear
As the nation is still boiling in rage at the sight of the cold-blooded massacre that took place in Pahalgam recently, the majority of the travel agencies operating here spontaneously stopped further bookings for the Kashmir valley, showing solidarity with the aghast countrymen.
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“We took a decision to stop taking further booking for Kashmir as soon as we became aware of the killings of innocent tourists on Tuesday evening. And the spontaneous step was not because of any fear, but as a mark of protest,” said Sanjay Kumar, head of Surbhi Travels, a leading travel agency operating here in the steel city while talking to The Jharkhand Story.
Kumar stated that Kashmir has all along been the most favourite destination of the people, especially during summer.
Uncertainty Over Future Bookings
“After the year 2000, the bookings for Kashmir valley had dwindled considerably due to the militants’ subversive activities. But after Article 370 was revoked from Jammu & Kashmir in the year 2019, the people started showing interest in visiting the valley. Kashmir had started bustling with tourists once again. We have had several bookings for this picturesque place for this summer too. But now no more bookings for that place until revenge is not taken for the massacre,” an apparently agitated Kumar said.
Another travel agency, Om Shanti Travels, which used to accept bookings for the Kashmir valley, seemed to have been hit following the Pahalgam incident.
“We had a number of bookings for Kashmir for the period starting from March till to this date. But after coming to know about the Pahalgam incident, we are in a fix. Neither further query has come about Kashmir destination after the deadly incident, nor have we taken any decision as to whether accept booking for that place in the prevailing condition there,” said the manager of the Om Shanti Travels.
Resumption Dependent on Security Situation
Significantly, when a majority of the travel agencies approached for comments remained evasive on the queries, like whether they have received any request for booking cancellation or accepting further bookings for Kashmir, a staff of a leading travel agency, MakeMyTrip replied forthrightly.
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“After the Pahalgam massacre, we have stopped accepting fresh bookings for Kashmir. But the decision to accept fresh bookings is not due to the restrictions imposed by the Jammu & Kashmir administration. As of now, the restrictions for the tourists are till April 30. Once the restrictions are over, we will resume the booking immediately,” said the staff Khushi Sahu while talking to this correspondent.
Khushi, when queried, said, “Why should we waver our decision for accepting the booking if people want to do so. After all, Kashmir is an integral part of our country and is inextricable. Our brave Army and security forces will deal with the militants who committed such barbaric killings. Once the situation in the valley is deemed fit for the tourists and the restrictions are over, then we will resume the booking.”