Terror attack in Pahalgam triggers wave of tour cancellations to Kashmir

Outside the Srinagar International Airport. File
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Panic has gripped the tourism industry in the immediate aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday (April 22, 2025), with travel agencies reporting a spate of cancellations. The attack has cast a shadow over what is usually the peak tourist season in Kashmir, particularly among travellers from heatwave-struck regions like Hyderabad, who were looking forward to a respite in the valley’s cooler climes.

Pahalgam terror attack updates April 23, 2025

“Just hours before their flight to Srinagar, a family of six from Hyderabad cancelled their premium holiday package, which included sightseeing at Pahalgam. The moment the news of the attack broke, they called me asking to cancel everything. We had no choice but to comply,” said Syed Murtaja, managing director of 68M Holidays.

Tour packages from Hyderabad to Srinagar range from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh for a family of four, depending on the inclusions. Tour operators say the impact could be significant. “Kashmir has been our most-booked destination post-COVID. We usually handle 700 to 800 bookings for Jammu and Kashmir annually, and demand peaks in May and June,” said Mr. Murtaja.

2.36 crore visitors in 2024

This disruption comes at a time when the State was witnessing record-breaking tourist footfall. The Jammu and Kashmir Economic Survey 2024-25 noted a historic high of 2.36 crore visitors in 2024. This figure includes 65,452 foreign tourists, 5.12 lakh pilgrims who undertook the Amarnath Yatra, and 94.56 lakh devotees visiting the Vaishno Devi temple.

Tour operators ask clients with travel dates in May wait

Syed Waseem, managing director of Cloudz Tours and Travels, said the valley had consistently topped domestic travel preferences over the last three years. “We get around 200 to 300 Kashmir-bound bookings from Hyderabad in just May and June. This attack will certainly affect the flow of tourists. For now, we are asking clients with travel dates in May to wait. But immediate departures are being cancelled,” he said.

The ripple effect is already visible in Hyderabad. The city, which has two direct daily flights to Srinagar operated by IndiGo and Air India Express, has seen a flurry of calls to travel agencies and airlines to cancel booked tickets. In response, both carriers have announced waivers on cancellation charges.

Acknowledging the developing situation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an advisory urging airlines to increase flight frequencies to handle possible shift in demand. The advisory also encourages airlines to be flexible with rescheduling and cancellation policies to support affected passengers.