‘We Are Media’s Scapegoat’, Kashmir’s Dwindling Tourism Economy

Kashmir’s tourism economy dwindles

(Photo: The Quint)

Since 2015, businessmen in Kashmir have been bearing the brunt of rising violence, as tourists associate Kashmir with images of unrest they see on the television.

The unrest in Kashmir continues to take a toll on the state’s tourism industry. The killing of militant Burhan Wani in June 2016 let to a sharp downturn in tourism. since 1989, violence in Kashmir has repeatedly hurt tourism. In the early and mid-90s as militancy peaked, over 9,000 incidents of violence drove tourists away from the valley.

In the later ‘90s, as violence eased, some tourists returned to the shikaras and houseboats. But as India and Pakistan came almost at the brink of war in December 2001, tourist inflow fell sharply. What brought back hope in Srinagar was the steady India-Pakistan peace process between 2003-2012.

The terror strike on Amarnath Yatris is likely to deter tourists yet again. Weather it is media images or real danger, conflict is costing Kashmir dearly.

Video producer: Erum Gour
Video editor: Purnendu Pritam