Houseboat sector hit by shutdown

Owners urge for promotion

Houseboat sector hit by shutdown

SRINAGAR: The continuous shutdown has hit houseboat sector, with owners saying they are suffering losses after the government issued advisory followed by lockdown in wake of abrogation of Article 370.
Houseboat is one of the important part of the tourism sector in Kashmir valley. Both foreign and non-local tourists prefer them over hotels because of their unique architecture and luxury.
With almost 950 houseboats registered in the Tourism department, the lack of tourists has hit their earnings, with owners saying that staff and other workers are sitting idle since August.
On August 2, Home department issued an order for the tourists and Amaranth Yatris to curtail their stay in Kashmir valley in the interest of their safety and security. In October, this advisory was withdrawn.
The owners of the houseboat said that after the government issued an advisory, tourists started to leave, which affected their earnings.
“When the government withdraws an advisory, the tourist rush still remained low,” they said.
Hamid Wangnoo, chairman of Kashmir Houseboat owners Association (KHBOA) told Kashmir Reader that they have around 950 houseboats in Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, River Jehlum and Chinar Bagh, who have suffered huge losses from the last three months.
He urged the government to promote tourism in Kashmir.

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