KOLKATA: The terror attack at Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, popularly known as the ‘Switzerland of India', was a black day for the Indian tourism sector, travel trade industry officials told TOI, citing the unprecedented attack that targeted tourists, killing at least 26, including one from Kolkata.
"There have been terror attacks on tourists in European cities, such as Berlin, Manchester and Barcelona. But India has never witnessed something like this, even in Kashmir or Manipur. This does not augur well at all not only for Kashmir but also Indian tourism as a whole," said Debjit Dutta, chairman of the Bengal chapter of Indian Association of Tour Operators.
While Kashmir attracted 16 lakh domestic tourists last year, around 30% of the national figure or nearly 5 lakh visitors were from Bengal, with travellers from Gujarat making up as many numbers. "Tourists from Kolkata and the rest of Bengal are all over Kashmir. You can hear Bengali conversations almost everywhere. I am sure there will be many Bengali tourists in Pahalgam as well and hope they are all safe," said Bhaswaran Bhattacharya, who conducts off-beat tours and has taken several groups from Kolkata to Kashmir 10 times since the end of the pandemic. In fact, he returned to Kolkata from Kashmir on Tuesday with a travelling group. He said two group tours to Kashmir were again slated for May and he had his fingers crossed.
"Around 60% tourists visit Kashmir between April and June. The attacks will have a significant impact on tourism this summer," said Travel Agents' Federation of India managing committee member Anil Punjabi, whose cellphone has not stopped ringing ever since the news of attack started making the rounds. People have been calling Punjabi up, anxious about their travel plans. Fellow travel agents are also unsure whether they should begin cancellations or not.
Avijit Chakraborty, who recently returned from a Kashmir trip, said a chill ran down his spine when he heard the news about the attacks. "We were in Kashmir only last week. There were 12 of us, all family members. We also went to Pahalgam and Baisaran Valley, where the attack happened. The first thought that sprang to my mind was thank God, this did not happen when we were there. But it feels terrible that the paradise we just witnessed is now stained by blood," said Chakraborty, who lives in Birati and works at a private firm.
Though Chakraborty and his family members never felt unsafe or even considered the possibility of a terror attack during the trip, Calcutta High Court advocate Indrajit Bhattacharya, who returned from Kashmir on Monday night with wife Sumoumita and son Sreehanjit, said he was slightly apprehensive during their stay there. "We went to the Tulip Festival in Srinagar and then visited Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Doodhpathri, Chandanwari, Pahalgam, Betab Valley and Aru Valley. My wife and son thoroughly enjoyed the eight-day tour. But I was slightly apprehensive. Somehow, I had a nagging fear at the back of my mind. It now appears I had a premonition," said Bhattacharya.
Travel Agents' Association of India managing committee member Manav Soni said the attack could derail tourism in the valley that surged in the past couple of years. "Demand was consistent all year round. It emerged as a very popular destination among Kolkatans. We are trying to allay fears, but a clearer picture will emerge only on Wednesday when there is more information," he said.
Insurance executive Arup Karmakar, who is in Srinagar at the fag-end of an eight-day trip, hoped the situation would normalise soon. "It will be a pity if people don't get to enjoy the beauty of Kashmir and the hospitality of its people. We visited Pahalgam on the very first day of the trip and went to Baisaran Valley on horseback. It was a surreal experience," recounted Karmakar, who lives in Jalpaiguri town.
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