Srinagar: Pahalgam terror attacks with the tourism sector in Kashmir, hotel businessmen and other stakeholders have sought a plan to reach Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention, and have also sought a plan to reach the policy makers and the affected.Tourists on 22 April canceled their booking in Kashmir in large numbers after a massacre of 26 people in the Besaran Valley of Pahgam.J&K Hoteliers Club President Mashtak Chaya said in Srinagar on Monday that PM Modi’s voice is the most important to bring life again in the tourism sector in the Kashmir Valley. He said that the tourist unions would demand an appointment with the PM, and request the countrymen to appeal to visit the valley.He also welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, called it a wise decision. Expressing the hope of resumption of flights to Srinagar soon, he said that it would ensure tourism flow. He made an enthusiastic appeal to tourists across the country to meet Kashmir, saying that the situation has now stabilized and should once again experience the beauty and hospitality of the valley.Chai further stated that hotelier in Jammu and Kashmir will invite the major YouTubers, influencers, writers and policy makers across the country, and ask them to post their views and reviews. He said that social media affected have played a positive role, and special facilities will be provided to project Kashmir.Chaya said that hoteliers will also meet J&K Lg Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and would urge them to announce a special package for tourists and take steps to restore their confidence.On a travel advisor released by the US on 7 May, asked his citizens to avoid J&K, Chaya said that domestic tourists were “more than enough”.Kashmir had seen a major increase in tourism last year, including about 35 lakh people visiting UT, including 5.11 lakh Amarnath pilgrims. Over the years, relative peace has seen huge investment in the tourism economy, especially in the construction of guest houses and hotels, even locals in remote areas have converted their homes into home and converted to tourism facilities.Chaya said that 30 lakh Kashmir is currently included directly in the tourism sector, and 3 lakhs of them are working directly in hotels and other tourism related businesses. He said that hotels have not removed any employee, and expected tourists will return to Kashmir.
