Shikara owners at Dal Lake in Srinagar protest against the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, southern Kashmir.
| Photo Credit: IMRAN NISSAR

The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, has cast a shadow over Kashmir’s booming tourism industry. A new nationwide survey reveals that six out of 10 families with travel plans to the valley this year have decided to cancel their bookings following the attack.

The survey respondents represented a cross-section of urban and rural India: 41% were from Tier-1 cities, 28% from Tier-2 towns, and 31% from smaller districts and rural areas. Around 63% of the participants were men, while 37% were women.

Pahalgam terror attack updates April 24, 2025

62% of 6,807 respondents decided to cancel their vacations

The survey conducted by community social media platform LocalCircles among over 21,000 citizens across 361 districts across India, paints a grim picture. Among 6,807 respondents who had planned trips to Kashmir between May and December this year, 62% have already decided to cancel their vacations. Only 38% said they would go ahead with their travel plans, the survey revealed.

Looking beyond 2025, the survey asked 14,430 participants about the likelihood of visiting Kashmir within the next three years. Just 29% said they were still open to visiting, while another 33% said their decision would depend on how effectively the government addresses safety concerns. About 21% categorically ruled out a trip, and 9% said Kashmir was never on their travel list.

The travel industry fears not just an immediate slump, but a long-term dip in travel confidence. While some stakeholders hope government intervention might cushion the blow, especially concerning religious tourism, anxiety remains high.

This disruption comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom. According to the State’s Economic Survey for 2024-25, the region recorded a historic high of 2.36 crore visitors in 2024. Among them were 65,452 international tourists, 5.12 lakh pilgrims who participated in the Amarnath Yatra, and 94.56 lakh devotees who visited the Vaishno Devi temple.

A scene from Jack and the Beans Talk
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

It is that time of year when the mango showers fall, bringing a welcome respite from the heat and a promise of fragrant, wholesome summer fruits. While one cannot predict the rain these days, the city’s music lovers can certainly enjoy the Mango Showers Music Festival — a three-day programme with a mixed bag of events.

When it was established in 2011, the primary purpose of the Majolly Music Trust was to aid aging musicians who were unable to land or perform gigs anymore. However, the Mango Showers Music Festival is a fundraiser to launch their newest initiative — a scholarship fund for students who want to study music but cannot afford to.

According to Neecia Majolly, founder of the Trust, a scholarship fund was always on their cards. “When it comes to Western classical music, there are no institutions in India for higher studies and students have to go abroad to pursue their passion,” Neecia says. “Now, this is not cheap and banks do not offer loans for music studies as they feel they are not a financially viable cause.”

Neecia says watching one of her own students run from pillar to post a few years ago, to raise the cash for her education, spurred her to get this fundraiser up and running. She does admit that while the event may not generate enough funds to cover the entire tuition for every aspiring student, it could ease their burden and raise awareness, hopefully benefiting more students over time.

Andreas Konig
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

“All proceeds from the Mango Shower Music Festival will go towards the scholarship fund.”

Bengaluru-based musician Joey Sharma, who will be performing at the festival, says he and his band were glad to be part of the initiative when Neecia approached them a few months ago. “We’ll be playing a genre of music called gypsy jazz, a style pioneered by Django Reinhardt, a Belgian guitarist,” he says, adding that audiences could expect melodies “reminiscent of Woody Allen movies with a modern touch.”

A musical titled Jack and the Beans Talk, with an original score and script will be presented, as well as a performance by German pianist Andreas Konig. Andreas who will be presenting a Western classical piano recital on April 27, will also be conducting a master class with piano students at Odyssey School of Music, earlier in the day.

The Mango Shower Music Festival will take place from April 25-27.Donor passes cost ₹449, ₹225 for children below eight years. For bookings and other details call 8494930941