Pahalgam Attacks: Nearly 60% tourists cancel travel plans to Jammu and Kashmir

With the onset of summer and beginning of summer vacation for children, May is considered the peak travel month for the northern-most State. However, with the sudden change of atmosphere following Pahalgam massacre, many tourists have begun cancelling their long-planned vacations

Hyderabad: The terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and the following retaliation operation by the Indian government codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor‘ could severely impact the tourism sector in J&K.

With the onset of summer and beginning of summer vacation for children, May is considered the peak travel month for the northern-most State. However, with the sudden change of atmosphere following Pahalgam massacre, many tourists have begun cancelling their long-planned vacations.

According to a survey conducted by LocalCircles, Domestic Airlines reportedly received requests for cancellation or rescheduling of 15,000 flight tickets to Srinagar immediately after the Pahalgam terror attack.

The survey had asked travellers about their travel plans to Kashmir in 2025 and almost 62% replied stating they had to cancel already scheduled plans, while only 38% said they might still consider travelling to Jammu and Kashmir.

The survey said, on being asked about travel plans to Kashmir in next three years, 29% tourists replied positively while 21% answered with a straight ‘No’. According to the survey, 33% of tourists said their travel plans will depend upon the safety and improved situation of the State.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir, which reported a total of 2.3 crore tourists arrivals in 2025, was banking upon a good tourism season this year with the opening of Amarnath Yatra scheduled in June. However, many tourist companies and several tour operators also worry about the prolonged impact of the attack on the tourism sector, as Pahalgam is also a base for the Yatra.