SRINAGAR: Tourism sector of the valley is worstly affected by the current situation of the valley as whole valley is tensed due to the Pulwama attack followed by encounter that left 49 soldiers killed while massive protests and candlelight marches were held in different parts of the country against the attack which turned to be as a fuel on fire. The Tourism industry of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is facing the worst of times as many bookings for upcoming season have been cancelled.
Marketing executive of Shubeena tour and travels Ishfaq Ahmad said, "Pulwama attack has negative impact on Kashmir tourism, the tourism sector is facing tough time as the tourists are cancelling the advance booking for upcoming summers there has been about 80% decline in the influx of tourists to valley." Another travel agent said, "Tourist flow to Kashmir valley has been increasing at an average rate of 8 percent per annum. However,after after every such incident tourist influx has shown a negative growth rate, major setback to the tourist flow has affected the economic stability of the state and squeezed the employment opportunities."
He further said, "the recent uprising has once again pushed the actual revenue downward and making this tourist destination victim of instability which seemingly should have touched soaring heights. The ongoing protests again have created further problems as earlier during 2016 when Valley was locked for five months."Kashmir's connection with Bollywood goes back a long way, not only is the valley a favourite shooting spot for directors and producers but the general mass are also ardent admirers of Hindi films but unfortunately due to recent uprising many shootings which were scheduled to shoot in the Valley have been cancelled. While talking to Kashmir News Bureau, Irfan Ahmad said, "The Pulwama attack directly affects the Kashmir as Bollywood was planning to shoot many movies in the valley in upcoming months which have been delayed or cancelled "