Koraput/Berhampur: In the wake of Tuesday’s terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Trinath Khadanga, a resident of Gunupur in Rayagada district, decided to cancel his family’s week-long vacation to Kashmir planned for May 6. “I had booked tickets and hotels for a week-long visit with my family, but the attack has scared me,” said Khadanga.
Ananta Panda of Koraput, who was planning to visit during the summer vacation, also scrapped his travel plans. “Visiting Kashmir now doesn’t feel safe. I am exploring alternate destinations,” he said.
“The situation changed overnight. Over 500 tourists booked with us, and now all have cancelled. It’s a massive blow,” said Ankush Sharma, a Jammu-based tour operator.
Padmanava Hota from Jeypore, who recently returned from Kashmir, said, “Around 100 people took contact details of my cab driver and hotel in Kashmir after I returned. They were all planning to visit the valley, but after this incident, it’s unlikely anyone will go.”
Chandra Sekhar Panigrahi, a Bengaluru-based software engineer who hails from Berhampore, had planned a week-long family trip to Kashmir starting Friday.”We decided to visit Kashmir for the first time as the situation had improved in recent years. However, Tuesday’s attack left us shocked,” said Panigrahi.
Ashish Satapathy, a software engineer based in Bengaluru, and his family, also from Berhampur, had planned their trip for May 2. “We were most excited about Pahalgam,” said his wife, Minu. The family had already booked flights and accommodation through a travel agency but decided to cancel due to security concerns.
Laxmidhar Rout, an associate professor of Berhampur University, has been also forced to alter his family’s summer vacation plans to Kashmir.
However, some industry stakeholders remain optimistic. “I believe this is a temporary phase. The beauty of Kashmir and the hospitality of its people will continue to draw tourists once things stabilise,” said Bikram Singh, a tour operator.