Covid- 19 –Paralyzed Tourism Industry in Kashmir

Kashmir is ranked as one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world and has great potential to come up with more promising tourism opportunities. Tourism industry not only contributes a hefty sum to the flailing economy of Kashmir but portrays a soft image of the country around the globe. Tourism industry of Kashmir has already suffered a lot due to the political turmoil from last three decades and the recent pandemic, one of the worst in the course of history shatters all the assumptions and futurist plans of tourism in Kashmir and already struggling to find its step to sustainable economic development is being caught up in its tracks.Due to deteriorating economic conditions Import, exports, various industries, local businesses and vendors are facing huge challenges; with lockdown in progress throughout the country, travel bans and various industries shut alongside the private sector at the brink of recession, it presents an alarming situation for residents of Kashmir, since most of the people are dependent on tourism. Businesses in the Kashmir have come to a grinding halt as the world scrambles to contain COVID-19. Much of the population makes a living by providing services to hotels, and tourists in the valley. A lush green valley once favored by local and foreign visitors “Lost Tulip season, Mughal gardens and other attractive tourist destinations”, Kashmir now resembles a ghost city, Hotel owners, tour operators, transport services, and are prone to upcoming weeks of severe economy. COVID-19 has posed an impact on the local communities in Kashmir who are heavily dependent on the tourism industry.
The Government has not introduced any single package for the tourism industry in the region, the officials of government need to devise a plan to provide assistance to hundreds who remain seriously concerned about their survival.
A huge number of local artistes, who are totally dependent on the tourism industry, remain helpless. Economy of Kashmir is deteriorating and people related to the tourism industry shall be facing massive challenges the following year. With all this being said, the Tourism Department of Kashmir is nowhere to be seen or at least concerned to tackle the alarming scenario which threatens the very survival of personnel related to the industry. The Government has not introduced any single package for the tourism industry in the region, the officials of government need to devise a plan to provide assistance to hundreds who remain seriously concerned about their survival.
( The author is researcher . Views are his own, [email protected])