Tourism is rightly called the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. It provides employment to thousands directly and indirectly, while supporting a vast ecosystem of businesses ranging from hotels and transport to handicrafts, shops, eateries and guides. For countless families across the region, their daily livelihood depends on the arrival of visitors. Yet, in the past few months, this crucial sector has been struck by a series of severe blows, leaving it gasping for survival.
The terrorist attack in Pahalgam during April came at the peak of the tourist season, casting a shadow of fear and uncertainty over the Valley. Bookings were cancelled, hotels emptied, transporters remained idle, and shopkeepers and traders faced unprecedented distress.
Before the industry could recover from this setback, August brought another wave of devastation—cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides. These natural disasters not only claimed precious human lives, including devotees and pilgrims, but also caused widespread destruction of infrastructure. Together, these events led to the near-complete collapse of tourism activity from April through August, crippling the economic backbone of the Union Territory.
Tourism is a sector uniquely vulnerable to crises—it is the first to be hit by unrest or calamity and the last to recover. The present situation is no different. From hoteliers to drivers, from guides to artisans, every stakeholder is struggling to make ends meet. This is not merely a matter of economic losses, but one that affects the very survival of thousands of households, their children’s education, and their daily sustenance.
In such a grave situation, the responsibility lies with the government to step in without delay. Immediate relief measures are essential to prevent a wave of bankruptcies and unemployment. Deferment of EMIs and state taxes for at least six months, postponement of electricity and water bills, interest subvention on existing loans, and the introduction of soft loans on the lines of the pandemic-era GECLS scheme could provide the much-needed breathing space to distressed businesses. A temporary amnesty in commercial electricity tariffs would also reduce the burden on struggling enterprises.
These steps would not merely offer temporary respite, but would form the foundation for revival of a sector that sustains the broader economy. Failure to act swiftly risks permanent closures, widespread unemployment, and a dangerous erosion of social stability. On the other hand, timely, compassionate and visionary intervention can rekindle hope, restore livelihoods and strengthen public confidence in the administration’s commitment to people’s welfare.
Tourism is not just an industry—it is the lifeline of Jammu and Kashmir. Supporting it today means ensuring the survival of thousands of families tomorrow. The present crisis is unprecedented, but so is the opportunity for the government to demonstrate its resolve and leadership. By announcing a comprehensive relief package without delay, the administration can ensure that this vital sector rises once again and continues to fuel the socio-economic progress of the region.DD
