Letter To Editor: Kashmiri Youth Count On Govt To Steady Sinking Tourism

Look, Kashmir tourism isn't just about pretty views or houseboats on Dal Lake. It's a lifeline for thousands of young people who've built their dreams on it.

After years of discord and disturbances, things started looking up around 2020. Young Kashmiris, with nothing but grit and some borrowed cash, launched travel agencies, cab services, and cozy guesthouses. They offered treks through alpine peaks, scenic drives, and homestays that felt like family.

For once, they weren't waiting for government jobs. They were making their own way. But now, that hope is crumbling.

The Pahalgam attack in April 2025, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, hit like a gut punch. Bookings dried up overnight. And now, hotels are empty, taxi drivers sit idle, and tour guides have no one to show around.

Kashmir, which welcomed 3.5 million tourists in 2024, has now become a ghost town. Over 80% of upcoming bookings were canceled after the attack, and the region's tourism revenue, around Rs. 8,000 crore annually, is tanking.

This isn't just about money. It's about the young people who bet everything on peace. Many took loans to start their businesses, and now they're staring at defaults. Some are shutting down. Others are thinking of leaving Kashmir altogether. Many of them had sold family jewelry to start cab service, now they're wondering how to feed their kids.

These aren't big corporations with safety nets. They're small ventures run by locals who poured their hearts into them.

Kashmiri youth are already up against a brutal job market. The unemployment rate for those aged 15-29 hit 32% in mid-2024, double the national average. That's one in three young people without work. Tourism was a rare bright spot, employing nearly 70,000 people directly and supporting millions more through related businesses: artisans, shopkeepers, or the guy selling shawls by the lake. It accounts for 7-8% of Jammu and Kashmir's GDP.

When tourism thrives, it's not just hotel owners who benefit, it's the whole community.

In 2022, 1.88 crore visitors came, followed by 2.11 crore in 2023. By June 2024, over one crore had already visited. But when things go south, like after Pahalgam, these young tourism players do count on government for relief packages and loan waivers.

They deserve this much of support for giving tourists safety, warmth, and memories. In return, they got income, pride, and a reason to stay. But fear is undoing that progress.

The recent terror attack has made people scared to visit, and without help, many of these young entrepreneurs might give up.

The government needs to step up now. Offer emergency aid to small businesses. Freeze loan repayments for youth-led ventures. Launch a campaign to show tourists that Kashmir is still safe and welcoming.

These steps won't fix everything, but they'll keep the lights on for people.

Kashmir's tourism has always been a fragile thing, easily shaken by strife. What's different now is who's carrying the load.

It's not just big hotels. It's the local youth, betting on a future they believed in. They're the ones who made Kashmir feel like home for millions of visitors. We can't let their dreams collapse.

Sincerely,

Iqbal Bhat

Ganderbal

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