Tourists opt for safe destinations after Pahalgam attack

Ranchi: Following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, travellers are increasingly turning away from the Valley and choosing safer alternatives like Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Ladakh.
City-based travel agencies are witnessing a sharp decline in Kashmir bookings. "Earlier, Kashmir used to be the first choice for summer holidays. But now, only 10 out of 100 customers are booking for Kashmir. Even honeymoon couples are backing out. Hotels that earlier charged Rs 10,000 per night are now available for Rs 6,000 per person," said Manjeet Gagan, a travel agent.
Demand for Darjeeling and Sikkim has skyrocketed. "Before, packages used to cost around Rs 30,000 – Rs 35,000 per person. Now, it's gone up to Rs 50,000 – Rs 55,000 for non-elite travellers. We're getting 15–20 calls a day for Northeast. It's peak season, and travellers don't want to take risk," he added.
Another travel agent, Sohan Kumar, said, "People are now asking about safety before they ask about price. Leh-Ladakh is becoming popular despite being costlier."
Parents and students are adapting to the new reality. "We had planned for Kashmir, but booked Gangtok and Darjeeling. It's costlier but we can't compromise on safety," said Sunita Agarwal, who is travelling with two children in June.
Ritika Sen, a Class 12 student of St Thomas School, Dhurwa, said, "I had been dreaming of lush green landscapes in Gulmarg. But we're now heading to Leh in June. It's scenic, less crowded, and feels safer."