Ahmedabad: The terror attack in Pahalgam, where terrorists stormed the Baisaran meadows and killed 26 people on Tuesday, has sparked widespread panic, especially among tourists from Gujarat. Travel agencies report that the majority of Kashmir bookings were cancelled following the incident.

Kashmir, a top choice for summer travel due to its scenic beauty, has drawn significant interest this season. An Ahmedabad-based tour operator stated, “Over 25% of our summer clients had picked Kashmir, but after the attack, most of the bookings were cancelled within hours.”

Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the terror attack, all major airlines have eased their policies, waiving rescheduling fees and allowing flexible travel dates. Passengers wanting to return early have been accommodated with extra flights being operated to Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad from Srinagar.

Beyond holiday travel, there is also growing concern over the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which sees thousands of Hindu pilgrims journeying to the Amarnath shrine. The fact that the attack targeted Hindus has heightened fears.

Inderjit Khajuria, chairman of the All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association, expressed concern that the Pahalgam attack could negatively affect the pilgrimage. “The timing is unfortunate, as the pilgrimage season has just been announced. This annual event is vital for our business, but such an incident could severely disrupt tourism,” he said.

He also suggested that the attack may have been deliberately timed to undermine tourism in the region.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also issued an advisory on Wednesday, asking airlines to increase flight capacity from Srinagar and offer free cancellations or changes. Local hotels are also offering full refunds or rebooking options.

The Tour Operators and Travel Agents’ Association of Gujarat (TAG) passed a resolution noting the fear among tourists and called on authorities to extend the flight rescheduling deadline from April 30 to June 30, 2025. TAG also urged travel businesses to issue credit notes for hotel and transport bookings to protect customers from financial losses.

A Rajkot-based travel agent said that his firm, which had around 40% of its summer bookings for Kashmir, has received over 100 cancellations so far.

Meanwhile, a Vadodara travel agent told the media, “Even though we are advising clients to wait a few days before making a decision, if someone doesn’t want to go, we are ready to provide a full refund.” DeshGujarat