Travel Agencies Fear Slowdown as Bookings Drop..

Chandigarh : Travel agencies across the country are witnessing a sudden slump in demand for trips to Jammu and Kashmir. What was once a peak season is now turning into a phase of mass cancellations, as travelers are backing out of their planned journeys and demanding full refunds, sometimes on an urgent basis. This shift has left many travel agents in panic, fearing a serious downturn in business.

Several agencies reported that bookings for April and May, which were nearly full till a week ago, are now being canceled in large numbers. Customers, citing safety concerns and rising uncertainties in the region, are no longer comfortable traveling to Jammu and Kashmir. Agents say the cancellations are coming not just from solo travelers but also from family groups, honeymooners, and corporate clients who had planned incentive tours.

The immediate fallout of this trend is a liquidity crunch. Most of these bookings were made in advance, with full or partial payments done. Now, as refunds are being demanded, agencies are under pressure to release large sums instantly, affecting their cash flow. This is particularly hurting small and mid-sized travel firms who depend heavily on domestic tourism to sustain their business.

Many agents believe the dip in confidence among tourists is temporary, but they admit that the current pace of cancellations is alarming. Some have begun offering alternate destinations like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the North-East, but those too are not picking up at the same pace. Tour operators who specialize in Kashmir tours are the worst hit, with their income pipelines suddenly drying up.

In addition to travelers withdrawing from plans, new inquiries have almost come to a halt. People are hesitant even to explore options, and this sense of fear is spreading fast across social media and local communities. Travel companies are now asking for clearer government communication and on-ground assurance of safety in Kashmir to restore customer confidence.

If the situation doesn’t improve soon, the summer season may turn into a major loss period for many in the tourism industry. For now, the focus remains on damage control and maintaining customer trust in hopes that the situation stabilizes and travel sentiment revives in the coming weeks.