We took a hit post-Pahalgam but tourism is flowing back: J&K CM Omar Abdullah assures safety to visitors
Kolkata : Amid ongoing efforts to revive tourism in Jammu and Kashmir following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made a strong appeal to people at the Travel and Tourism Fair Kolkata 2025 to visit the valley.
Striking an optimistic tone, Abdullah said, "We’re not here with a tale of doom and gloom, nor with a dark cloud hanging over us. People have a renewed sense of optimism and hope.
That hope is based on what we see on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir today and post-Pahalgam attack, tourism has begun to flow back,” he said.
Acknowledging travel concerns after the April 22 terror attack, Abdullah said, "Please rest assured that all possible steps are being taken to ensure a peaceful and secure Jammu and Kashmir. Don’t take my word for it—ask those who have already travelled to J&K and returned.
On the immediate impact on tourism, he admitted, “Of course, we took a hit. We went from full hotels to emptiness. We went from Dal Lake being full of shikaras to not a single shikara being visible."
Illustrating the dip and recovery in tourism, Omar stated, "Prior to the attack in Pahalgam, we had more than 50 flight arrivals a day from various parts of the country. That number dropped to 15. Today, it has crossed 25," adding that direct flights from Kolkata have been restored.
Facing a question on the attackers' arrest, Abdullah said, “Our job at the moment is twofold: one, to track them down; and two, to ensure they don’t come anywhere near any civilian population areas, whether tourist or not.”
The J&K CM, however, declined to comment if the incident was an intelligence failure.
The Chief Minister said he had been personally engaging with tourists across destinations.
“I’ve been travelling to Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg—to sit down and talk to tourists, understand what their experience has been like, and what we can do to improve it,” he said.
Later in the day, Abdullah met West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee who urged the Centre to enhance security measures for tourists visiting J&K.
The J&K Chief Minister is currently seen to be on a nationwide outreach, meeting people and dignitaries to revive the flow of tourism to the Valley.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
Delhi goes into emergency mode! Work from home, vehicle bans as AQI hits ‘severe’
New Delhi/IBNS: Stricter guidelines to curb air pollution in Delhi were enforced on Thursday as the national capital grappled with a “severe” Air Quality Index (AQI), media reports said.
Massive fire guts shanties near Eco Park in Kolkata; no casualties
Kolkata/IBNS: A massive fire broke out in a cluster of shanties near Eco Park in Kolkata’s New Town area on Wednesday evening, media reports said. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Parallel justice system in Bengaluru! Apartment body booked for hushing up crimes
Bengaluru police have registered a criminal case against a residential apartment association and its private security agency for allegedly bypassing the criminal justice system by dealing with serious offences internally instead of reporting them to the police, media reports said.
Only BS-IV and above vehicles will be exempted, Supreme Court clarifies pollution order
The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that only vehicles with BS-IV compliant engines and above will be exempt from action if found operating in Delhi, modifying its earlier order on curbs for older vehicles amid worsening air pollution.
Latest News
Delhi goes into emergency mode! Work from home, vehicle bans as AQI hits ‘severe’
Tripura signs MoU with National Bureau of Soil Survey to boost agricultural productivity
Security scare for Nidhhi Agerwal as fans swarm actress at The Raja Saab event in Hyderabad
Massive fire guts shanties near Eco Park in Kolkata; no casualties