Travel agents in Kashmir want UDAN to be extended to the state

Travel agents in Kashmir are requesting the Central Government to include Kashmir as a destination in the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN). This comes as a result of the increasing fares to the destination and the negative perception about the state after the Pulwama attacks. Zahoor Qari, Chairman, TAAI – J&K Chapter, says, “We are demanding that the Government extends the UDAN scheme to Kashmir as well. Currently, the perception of travellers towards Kashmir is negative after the recent attacks, and it is a difficult situation. However, the attack happened in a remote area which is far off from all the tourist attractions, where the situation is normal as usual. Also, if UDAN is extended to Kashmir, the state will have domestic connectivity, which would give a positive signal to the entire nation that tourism is normal in Kashmir and travellers should not hesitate in going there. Currently the situation is difficult, and the valley is suffering from a financial crunch, which can improve if domestic tourism develops in the state.”