Faiyaz Ahmad
September 09, 2008
Srinagar: The recent uprising and imposition of curfew by the authorities has badly hit the tourism in Indian Kashmir.
President, Houseboat Owners Association, Mohammad Azeem Tuman said, "There is hardly any tourist in Kashmir. All the houseboats and even hotels are vacant", he said.
He said that the uprising and imposition of curfew has dealt a blow the tourism industry in Indian Kashmir. "The tourism season is over for us and we have suffered heavy losses this season", he said.
A tourism official said that the authorities were expecting close to 1 million tourists in Indian Kashmir this year. "However, the uprising, strikes and the curfew has played spoilsport and kept tourists away," said the official, pleading anonymity.
He said that the developments (uprising, protests and marches, strikes and curfew) restricted the flow of tourists to Indian Kashmir, which earlier had commenced on an optimistic note with the opening of the Tulip garden in March.
Another tourism official said that after August 11 (the Muzaffarabad March staged by people on the call of separatists), the tourists have virtually stopped coming to Kashmir. At least 13 persons were killed by troopers during the Muzaffarabad March and during the subsequent protest demonstrations, more than 30 unarmed protestors have been killed so far.
The official said that they are now pinning homes on the Indian tourists, who visit Kashmir during September-October. "If they visit Kashmir, then we think the tourism season will be salvaged. However, in case the agitation continues, then I think it is all over," he added.
Another tourism official, pleading anonymity, said that during the first 10 days of August only nine thousand tourists visited Kashmir. "Earlier five to six thousand tourists used to visit valley each day," he added.
September 09, 2008
Srinagar: The recent uprising and imposition of curfew by the authorities has badly hit the tourism in Indian Kashmir.
President, Houseboat Owners Association, Mohammad Azeem Tuman said, "There is hardly any tourist in Kashmir. All the houseboats and even hotels are vacant", he said.
He said that the uprising and imposition of curfew has dealt a blow the tourism industry in Indian Kashmir. "The tourism season is over for us and we have suffered heavy losses this season", he said.
A tourism official said that the authorities were expecting close to 1 million tourists in Indian Kashmir this year. "However, the uprising, strikes and the curfew has played spoilsport and kept tourists away," said the official, pleading anonymity.
He said that the developments (uprising, protests and marches, strikes and curfew) restricted the flow of tourists to Indian Kashmir, which earlier had commenced on an optimistic note with the opening of the Tulip garden in March.
Another tourism official said that after August 11 (the Muzaffarabad March staged by people on the call of separatists), the tourists have virtually stopped coming to Kashmir. At least 13 persons were killed by troopers during the Muzaffarabad March and during the subsequent protest demonstrations, more than 30 unarmed protestors have been killed so far.
The official said that they are now pinning homes on the Indian tourists, who visit Kashmir during September-October. "If they visit Kashmir, then we think the tourism season will be salvaged. However, in case the agitation continues, then I think it is all over," he added.
Another tourism official, pleading anonymity, said that during the first 10 days of August only nine thousand tourists visited Kashmir. "Earlier five to six thousand tourists used to visit valley each day," he added.
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