‘Resume direct flights, reduce hotel tariffs to revive tourism in Kashmir'
Srinagar: The travel trade industry has appealed to airlines to resume flights to Srinagar that were discontinued after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 so that tourism in Kashmir can revive.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
While all flights to Srinagar, Jammu and over two dozen other areas were suspended in May, as India conducted air strikes against terror hubs in Pakistan, some services including direct flights from Kolkata to Srinagar by IndiGo Airlines and Air India Express have not resumed after hostilities ceased on May 10. IndiGo has indicated that it will resume the direct flight from June 16.
Last month, TOI wrote about the 'Chalo Kashmir' campaign, a strong community-tourism industry connect initiative launched by the Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI), which handles around 4 lakh tourists from Kolkata in a year, around 40,000 of whom travel to Kashmir.
Taking the campaign forward, TAAI started a new campaign called Rally for Valley to boost tourism in Kashmir.
"We are in talks with the Union govt as well as airlines and hotel bodies to put a cap on tariffs that can help us shape attractive packages for tourists," said TAAI president Sunil Kumar. "As for safety, we are visiting the valley with our families. Tourists have nothing to fear. People here are among the most hospitable.
This is the best time to visit the Valley," he added.
Over 15 lakh tourists visited Kashmir last year. The Valley was packed with tourists again this year before the terror attack triggered mass cancellations. The downturn in tourists has hit Kashmiris hard. "In April, we were charging Rs 5,000 for a round trip to Pahalgam from Srinagar. Now we are taking tourists even for Rs 3,000," said Md Rouf, a driver. Restaurants like Lazeez, which had to turn down guests two months back, are now giving special offers to fill tables.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
"Very few rooms have been booked across several hotels. Had it not been for the terror attacks, these hotels would have been packed. These hotels should take a Covid-time-like approach and cut down on tariffs. We have set ourselves a target until Sept this year by when we intend to revive tourism back in Kashmir," said TAAI chairman (east) Anjani Dhanuka.
The newly inaugurated Vande Bharat Express, travelling through the landmark Chenab Bridge, is also being promoted as a game changer. "Kolkata will host the first roadshow promoting Kashmir as a safe destination. We are also regularly updating our social media handles with snippets and current activities in popular destinations in Srinagar, Pahalgam, Jammu, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and other places to encourage tourists from Kolkata," said Manav Soni, TAAI national committee member.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
20 minutes ago
- News18
Influx Healthtech IPO Allotment: A Step-By-Step Guide To Check Status Online Today, Know Latest GMP
Last Updated: According to market observers, the GMP of the Influx Healthtech IPO is 22.92%, indicating decent listing gains for investors. Influx Healthtech IPO Allotment: The initial public offering of Influx Healthtech has received a whopping 201.35 times subscription, indicating huge interest from investors. Investors are now eagerly awaiting its allotment even its latest GMP shows a strong 22.92% listing gains. The allotment of the Influx Healthtech IPO is expected to be finalised today, Monday, June 23, in the evening. Once the IPO allotment is finalised, investors will start receiving bank debit messages, most probably in the evening. They can also check their allotment status on the websites of the NSE as well as registrar Maashitla Securities Private Limited. The allotment is expected to be finalised in the evening today, Friday, June 20. The allotment status can be checked by following these steps: Step 1: Visit Maashitla Securities' portal — Step 2: Under 'Select Company', choose 'Influx Healthtech Ltd'. Importantly, if the company's name is not visible in the drop-down list, it means the allotment has not been finalised yet. According to market observers, the GMP of the Influx Healthtech IPO is 22.92%, indicating decent listing gains for investors. The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. 'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price. Influx Healthtech IPO Listing Date The shares of Influx Healthtech Ltd will be listed on the NSE Emerge on June 25. The Influx Healthtech IPO was open for subscription between June 18 and June 20. It is a book-built issue worth Rs 58.57 crore, comprising a fresh issue of 50 lakh equity shares worth Rs 48 crore and an offer for sale of 11 lakh shares aggregating to Rs 10.56 crore. On the final day of bidding on Friday, the SME IPO received an overwhelming 201.35 times subscription, garnering bids for 81,71,71,200 shares as against 40,58,400 shares on offer. The retail and NII participation stood at 117.68 times and 481.10 times, respectively. Its qualified institutional buyer (QIB) category got a 137.87 times subscription. The price of the Influx Healthtech IPO was fixed at Rs 96 apiece. Influx Healthtech Ltd's revenue increased 5% and its profit after tax (PAT) rose 19% between the financial year ending with March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2024. Rarever Financial Advisors Pvt Ltd is the book-running lead manager of the Influx Healthtech IPO, while Maashitla Securities Private Limited is the registrar for the issue. The market maker for Influx Healthtech IPO is R K Stock Holding Private Limited. Influx Healthtech Ltd, founded in September 2020, is a healthcare-focused CDMO with three manufacturing units in Thane, producing tablets, capsules, powders, liquid orals, and softgels.
India.com
23 minutes ago
- India.com
Good news for Anil Ambani, another company settles Rs 2730000000 loan of…, with…
Anil Ambani was already in the news for settling down the debt of his many companies. Now once again it has settled the debt with another company. In a recent exchange filing it stated that it has fully settled a Rs 273-crore loan, including interest, owed by its wholly owned subsidiary JR Toll Road Pvt Ltd (JRTR) to Yes Bank Ltd. It stated, '' A wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (along with the Company as Corporate Guarantor), has entered into an addendum to the Settlement Agreement today with Yes Bank Limited (YBL) for the entire outstanding debt obligation of ~INR 273 crore (including interest) owed by JRTR to YBL, and has duly paid the entire settlement amount.'' Anil Ambani Company Debt Reduction Debt reduction has become a primary focus for Anil Ambani. Reliance Infrastructure: Paid off Rs 3,300 crore of debt in FY 2025, becoming debt-free. Rosa Power Supply Company: Cleared Rs 485 crore of debt, achieving debt-free status. Reliance Power: Settled a loan of Rs 3,872 crore earlier. JR Toll Road Pvt Ltd, a special purpose vehicle established by Reliance Infrastructure, is responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of a 52-kilometer segment of National Highway 11, connecting Jaipur and Reengus in Rajasthan. The project was executed under the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model, featuring a highway expansion from four to six lanes. Operations commenced in 2013, coinciding with the start of toll collection.
Hindustan Times
24 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Watch with Kannada numerals and Karnataka's iconic crest goes viral: 'Decolonize your mind'
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticizes Karnataka's Rs 18,000 crore tunnel road project, calling it unscientific and financially unsound. He questions the project's feasibility, high toll costs, and potential public fund drain, challenging the government's transportation strategy.
