6 in 10 families to cancel Kashmir travel plans/bookings for 2025

April 24, 2025, New Delhi: Terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22nd, resulting in at least 28 deaths and many being seriously injured, has dealt a severe blow to the thriving tourism industry in Kashmir impacting the livelihood thousands as tourists planning a visit or already in the valley are cancelling bookings.

Kashmir has seen a steady rise in tourist traffic over the last few years and was expecting a further increase going by the hotel bookings. Last month, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the assembly that 2.3 crore tourists had so far visited in 2025. According to tourism department data, 18,884,317 tourists visited J&K in 2022 and 21,180,011 in 2023.

Tourism stakeholders who were banking a good season, free of hartal calls from separatists, say the attack in Pahalgam, which is among the most sought-after tourist destinations, is bound to send a negative message to the visitors across the country. The attack in Pahalgam, which is also a base for Amarnath Yatra, is also expected to impact the sentiments of pilgrims just when the registration process has begun. In 2023, over 21 million pilgrims visited Kashmir for the Amarnath Yatra, according to the state tourism data.

According to media reports in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attack, tourists have started cancelling bookings. Tour operators are worried about not just the immediate impact but also the prolonged impact on the tourism sector. Some tour operators are optimistic that government intervention could help minimize any long-term impact particularly on the Amarnath yatra, which begins in June. Domestic airlines are reported to have received requests for cancellation or rescheduling of 15,000 flight tickets to Srinagar post the terrorist attack. Former minister and legislator Sajad Lone is reported to have stated that the tourism industry has suffered greatly due to the terror attacks. “These terror attacks are aimed at yet again disempowering us economically,” he said.

As the central and state governments work to control the situation and nab the culprits, LocalCircles has conducted a survey to find out what are the people who were planning a vacation in Kashmir in 2025 going to do with their bookings and plans. Also the survey has captured the 3 year outlook of people in regards to travel to Kashmir in the aftermath of this latest attack. The survey received over 21,000 responses from travellers located in over 361 districts of the country. 63% respondents were men while 37% respondents were women. 41% respondents were from tier 1, 28% from tier 2 and 31% respondents were from tier 3 and 4, 5 & rural districts.

6 in 10 travellers surveyed who were planning to travel to Kashmir between May and December this year are likely to cancel their plans/bookings

The survey first asked travellers who had plans or bookings for Kashmir in 2025 about their actions, “Were you or your family planning to travel to Kashmir for vacation/ religious tourism between May-December 2025?” Out of 6,807 who responded to the question 62% stated “yes, we were but now cancelling plans/ bookings” while 38% of respondents stated that “yes, we were, and we still are planning to travel”. To sum up, 6 in 10 travellers surveyed who were planning to travel to Kashmir between May and December this year are likely to cancel their plans/bookings.

3 in 10 travellers surveyed likely to visit Kashmir sometime in the next 3 years; Another 3 in 10 will decide based on Government handling of the situation

The fear of more terror attacks targeting tourists is likely to keep away many people from visiting Kashmir for some time is a real possibility. The survey next asked travellers, “Are you or your family likely to plan a trip to Kashmir in the next 3 years?” Out of 14,430 who responded to the question 29% stated “yes, most definitely”; 21% of respondents stated “no, most definitely not”; 33% of respondents stated it “will depend on how the government handles the safety situation”; 8% of respondents did not give a clear answer and 9% of respondents stated that the question is “not applicable (Kashmir was never among our target destination to visit in the next 3 years). To sum up, 3 in 10 travellers surveyed are likely to visit Kashmir sometime in the next 3 years; Another 3 in 10 will decide based on government handling of the situation.

In summary, the horrifying killing of tourists in Kashmir by terrorists has made many travellers rethink about visiting the valley. 6 in 10 travellers surveyed who were planning to travel to Kashmir between May and December this year are likely to cancel their plans/bookings. However, 3 in 10 travellers surveyed remain optimistic and are likely to visit Kashmir sometime in the next 3 years. In addition, another 3 in 10 will decide on plans to visit Kashmir over next 3 years depending on Government handling of the situation. Safety being a key factor in tourism, not many like to court dangers when on a holiday so going ahead, both the central and state government will have to put in place more measures to protect travellers if they want Kashmir to get back its fair share of tourism and related business.

Survey Demographics

The survey received over 21,000 responses from travellers located in over 361 districts of the country. 63% respondents were men while 37% respondents were women. 41% respondents were from tier 1, 28% from tier 2 and 31% respondents were from tier 3 and 4, 5 & rural districts. The survey was conducted via LocalCircles platform, and all participants were validated citizens who had to be registered with LocalCircles to participate in this survey.