Srinagar: National Conference (NC) on Sunday expressed serious concern over the prolonged restrictions on several tourist and adventure destinations across the Valley, saying the continued curbs have severely disrupted the tourism ecosystem and adversely impacted thousands of families dependent on hospitality, transport, guiding, trekking, and other allied sectors.
“Thousands of people associated with the tourism sector, including pony owners, tourist guides, hawkers, transport operators, hotel owners, and other service providers, have been facing severe financial difficulties for over a year,” NC Provincial President Kashmir, Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir said in a statement issued here.
He further stated that tourists arriving from other states and countries are now able to access only a limited number of destinations, which is affecting their overall travel experience and harming the image of Kashmir as a premier tourist destination. Even at locations that remain open, various restrictions and administrative hurdles continue to create difficulties for both tourists and those dependent on the tourism industry.
Mir remarked that it is surprising that even during the turbulent period of the 1990s, tourism and adventure activities were not subjected to such prolonged restrictions. Yet, for the past one-and-a-half years, many of these activities have remained curtailed for reasons that remain unclear, resulting in far-reaching negative consequences.
He emphasized that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is essential because a fully empowered government led by elected representatives is better equipped to understand the ground realities, public needs, and challenges faced by local communities, and can therefore take balanced and people-centric decisions.