Srinagar/Muzaffarabad: As tensions between India and Pakistan spiral in the aftermath of a deadly attack, Kashmir’s booming tourism sector has come to a screeching halt. On both sides of the disputed Himalayan region, hotels, houseboats, and guesthouses now stand largely empty, with fears of military conflict driving tourists away.
On the Indian side of Kashmir, renowned for its serene lakes, snow-capped mountains, and Mughal gardens, businesses that were flourishing just weeks ago are now in crisis mode. Hotels and houseboats in Srinagar are offering discounts of up to 70% in a desperate bid to fill vacancies, while operators report mass cancellations and dwindling hopes for the peak summer season.
“During this time of year, our houseboats were packed, and now we have no guests,” said Yaseen Tuman, who runs a century-old travel agency and operates several houseboats on Srinagar’s Nigeen Lake. “We will have to prepare for a long lull,” he added, refusing to slash prices because he doubts tourists will return soon.
The Indian government has squarely blamed Pakistan for last month’s brutal attack in a meadow that left 26 tourists dead. In response, New Delhi has taken a series of diplomatic and economic actions against Islamabad. Pakistan, denying any involvement, has responded with its own countermeasures and warned of an impending Indian military operation.
Meanwhile, on the Pakistani side of Kashmir, the once-bustling hill station of Pir Chinasi—perched at 9,500 feet—now sees sparse activity. Neelum Valley, a popular destination that borders India, has been sealed off. Authorities have issued safety advisories in anticipation of potential Indian strikes.
“All the nearly 370 hotels and guesthouses in the valley are now empty,” said Abrar Ahmad Butt, spokesperson for the regional hotels and guesthouses association. “It’s going to hurt badly this season,” he added, noting that tourism typically employs around 16,000 people in the area.
Still, some visitors remain undeterred. Syed Yasir Ali, an Islamabad-based employee at a foreign mission, visited Pir Chinasi with his family despite the tensions. “This side is safe,” he said. “I am on the ground, it is safe.”
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But others aren’t so confident. Musaddiq Hussain, who runs a tuck shop in the area, said business has been devastated. “Business is completely down,” he said. “We should have peace in the country, so that we could prosper. We want both countries to have peace.”
The mood in Srinagar echoes the same sentiment. Taxi driver Tanveer, who goes by one name, now idles for hours waiting for passengers. “The streets were packed, there was no place to drive in the city before the horrific killing,” he said. “I wait for a passenger all day. Before the attack, I had no time to take on more work.”
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The fresh surge in hostility threatens to undo years of progress. Following a four-year ceasefire and a notable drop in militant activity, Kashmir had become a tourism success story, drawing over three million visitors to Indian-administered areas and nearly 1.5 million to Pakistani-controlled regions last year.
Now, as war rhetoric grows louder and fear takes hold, the economic consequences are mounting fast—putting thousands of livelihoods at stake in one of the world’s most geopolitically sensitive regions.
