Yatra restrictions hit Kashmir tourism: TAAK

SRINAGAR — Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) has taken a strong note of the harassment and problems being faced by the local, leisure and adventure tourists in view of the security arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra.

In a statement, according to news agency Kashmir News Trust, TAAK President Farooq Ahmed Kuthoo said many tourists have got stuck on highways due to severe restrictions on the movement of non-Yatra tourists.

“Not only have such restrictions put the general tourists to a lot of inconveniences but the travel agents outside J&K have stopped promoting Kashmir till mid-August, bringing down the tourist influx abruptly,” said Kuthoo.

Kuthoo said preferential treatment to Amarnath Yatris is affecting Kashmir tourism badly. “Kashmiris have welcomed Yatris and other tourists alike for ages and no problem was faced by them. This year, the security arrangements have only compounded the problems and caused immense loss to leisure, adventure and other tourism segments,” said TAAK President.

TAAK has appealed to the LG Manoj Sinha to look into it so that non-Yatra tourists don’t suffer.