Tourists in droves leave Valley

Tourists in droves leave Valley
BILAL HUSSAIN
Srinagar, June 29: As the whole Kashmir is out on streets protesting the transfer land to Hindu shrine board, the tourists in large numbers are leaving the Valley. This year the tourists flow in the Valley had touched a record figure of 4,00,000 in the first six months of the current fiscal only and huge numbers of tourist were expected by the end of the year, local tour operators said. According to the Chairman Travel Agents Association of India, TAAI, (Kashmir chapter) Nasir Shah told Greater Kashmir that massive cancellations have from the foreign tourists have started. Visitor here are leaving before their departure dates. "Those who are present here are leaving before their scheduled departure," Nasir confirmed. Tourism may be a priority for the government but not at all times. Earlier the local administration in the Valley, according to an hotelier in Kashmir, had forcibly vacated many tourists staying in JK Tourism Development Corporation huts to accommodate officials on yatra duty. "Government's indifference has made the tourism industry to suffer in the Valley," Nasir said. A local tour operator said more around 4 lakh tourists had visited the Valley this year and they were hopeful of record-breaking tourist arrivals in Kashmir this year. The tour operators say the violent clashes between police and protesters have scared away thousands of visitors, hurting Valley's tourism industry. President, KHAROF, Lateef Ahmad Bhat, said that this year the tourist inflow in the Valley was good but the on going protests have forced them to leave. "Most of them have checked out from hotel in Valley," he said, "Round about 20,000 tourist would have checked-out in these days." According to Bhat non-availability of food and transport have forced tourists to vacate their rooms. "Right decision at right time by the government could review the tourism industry in the Valley. Government should look at the people's aspirations," he said. It was for the first time that world famous Dal Lake literally was locked up. There was not even a single joy ride in the Dal Lake, tour operator said. "Killing of youths here in the Valley has further aggravated the condition, looking at the sentiments of the general masses government should revoke the order at earliest," he said. Thousands of people were on the streets jingling "we want freedom", in Srinagar and other districts of the state, while worried tourists peered through hotel windows. "Tourisms contributes to the state economy and now because of the present situation its has adverse affects on Kashmir economy. The tourists inflow has almost stopped in the past few days," Mehraj-ud-din wani, a local banker said. Several associations of tourism traders while demanding immediate withdrawal of the order accused the government of striking a blow to the tourism industry. Earlier the director, Shiraz Travels Nazir Ahmad Bakshi told Greater Kashmir in a situation that is prevailing in the state, the government should have reassured the tourist, hoteliers and travel agencies, which it has not done so far. Mention to be made that none of the tourists has been harmed till now in Kashmir. The hoteliers blame government for losses they suffer. "This year we had got full bookings for hotel rooms for three months in advance. But the government's decision on land transfer has dented our business and poured water on our expectations," said an hotelier pleading anonymity. Foreign tourists have also cancelled their travel programmes to the Valley in the wake of the turbulent condition in Kashmir. "I had booking for tourists from Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia. But all of them have cancelled their booking and I have suffered huge losses," said an owner of a local travel agency. Meanwhile Travel Agents Society of Kashmir has urged the state government and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to settle the forestland land transfer issue judiciously to save the tourism industry of Kashmir from further losses. "At present tourism industry is the most sufferer. We urge government and SASB to solve the dispute amicably," TASK said.