In a significant move aimed at restoring confidence and reviving tourism, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a special cabinet meeting in Pahalgam on Tuesday, just over a month after a deadly terror attack in the nearby Baisaran valley killed 26 people, most of them tourists.
The high-profile meeting, held at the Pahalgam Club, comes amid declining tourist footfall and mounting concerns from local stakeholders over the economic impact of the April 22 attack. Visuals showed cabinet members arriving for the meeting in a show of unity and resolve.
Highlighting the importance of the region’s tourism-dependent economy, the Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to both fighting terrorism and supporting the recovery of local businesses. This meeting follows earlier discussions held on May 15 with the Hoteliers Association at the Civil Secretariat, where Abdullah assured full support to stakeholders and promised to incorporate their suggestions into a comprehensive revival package.
Abdullah called for a post-Amarnath Yatra tourism revival plan in collaboration with the Tourism Department, which would provide assistance to hotels, houseboats, shikaras, taxis, handicrafts, and introduce new initiatives like Dubai-style shopping festivals to attract visitors.
Expressing concern for small entrepreneurs who had recently invested in tourism infrastructure—including taxis, minibuses, and guest accommodations—Abdullah stressed the need for targeted financial relief. He vowed to personally take up the matter of financial support and interest waivers with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and other senior officials at the Centre.
Despite the grim backdrop of the terror attack, Abdullah noted that there is still strong national and international interest in Kashmir as a tourist destination, citing ongoing enthusiasm for promotional efforts and familiarisation (FAM) tours.
The cabinet meeting in Pahalgam is seen as a symbolic and strategic step to reclaim the narrative from fear to resilience, sending a clear message against terrorism while underlining the government’s dedication to the well-being of its people and the revival of its tourism industry.
