16/09/2025
Hona'ble Omar Abdullah ji,
CM of UT of J&K.
Respected Sir,
The year 2025 has been one of the darkest years for the tourism industry of Jammu & Kashmir. Instead of being the engine of growth and employment, the sector has been pushed into survival mode due to a series of crises and the lack of timely government intervention has only worsened the situation.
This year, the industry faced :
* Pahalgam Terror Attack: Triggered panic and mass cancellations, crippling tourism operations during a peak season.
* Vaishno Devi Landslide: Disrupted pilgrimage for weeks, severely affecting businesses in Katra and surrounding areas.
* Prolonged Monsoon: Continuous rains and landslides damaged infrastructure, isolated tourist areas, and halted movement.
* Trekking Ban: Imposed by the government citing terror threats, which completely wiped out trekking operations and income for guides, porters, and local service providers.
* Rafting Season Cancellation: Called off in Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Gurez, and Reasi due to high water levels, devastating the livelihoods of rafting operators, equipment suppliers, and associated workers.
The combined effect of these events has paralyzed the tourism economy, leaving hoteliers, transporters, adventure tour operators, and artisans under unbearable financial stress.
What is most alarming is that the government has not announced any compensation, financial relief, loan waivers, or interest moratoriums for those affected. This complete absence of support has left the tourism fraternity feeling abandoned, despite its significant contribution to J&K’s economy and employment generation.
We strongly demand :
* Immediate Relief Package: Compensation for affected stakeholders, including hoteliers, adventure operators, and transporters.
* Loan Waivers & EMI Moratoriums: To prevent bankruptcies and closures of tourism businesses.
* Direct Financial Assistance: For guides, porters, rafting staff, and daily-wage earners whose incomes have been wiped out.
* Restoration & Safety Measures: Fast-track repairs of roads and infrastructure to ensure safe and uninterrupted tourist access.
* Revival Campaign: Launch of a large-scale promotional drive to rebuild confidence and attract tourists back to J&K.
If timely action is not taken, thousands of livelihoods will be lost, small and medium operators will be forced to shut down permanently, and the tourism sector which contributes massively to J&K’s economy may take several years to recover from this disastrous year.
Regards
White Water Rafting Federation of J&K.
Tourism Travel Trade Association of Bhadarwah.
Bhadarwah Adventure & Tourism Association.
Commercial Rafting Operators Association of Reasi.
Travel Agent Association of Katra.
* Copy to Commissioner Secretary Tourism for information and necessary action.
* Copy to Director Tourism Jammu for information and necessary action.
* Copy to Director Tourism Kashmir for information and necessary action.