Jammu and Kashmir as safe as any other place, say IATO

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has said that Jammu and Kashmir is “as safe as any other place” in the country. This comes after a 30-member team visited Kashmir to assess the situation on the ground.

The team, led by IATO President Ravi Gosain, toured parts of Srinagar and Pahalgam for three days from June 14 under their “Rubaroo Jammu & Kashmir” campaign.

The visit aimed to restore confidence in travelling to Kashmir after a recent terror attack in Pahalgam and the large anti-terror operation that followed, called Operation Sindoor.

During their visit, the IATO members said they found the Valley peaceful and the people friendly. “We stayed for three days and found Kashmir to be as safe as any other place in India. We also got strong assurances from top government officials, which has given us a lot of confidence,” said Gosain. “I believe tourist numbers will bounce back soon.”

As part of their visit, the IATO team met the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, in Srinagar.

Abdullah welcomed the delegation, thanked them for coming, and assured them that tourists’ safety and security were a top priority.

The meeting was also attended by Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism, and Raja Yaqoob Farooq, Director Tourism – Kashmir, who assured full support from the tourism department.

Gosain said the terror incident in Pahalgam had badly affected tourism, leading to many cancellations. “This visit was meant to rebuild confidence, and we are fully satisfied with the security steps taken by the government,” he said.

The IATO team also invited Abdullah to attend the 40th IATO Annual Convention, which will be held in Puri, Odisha, from August 22 to 25.

Abdullah agreed in principle and said that the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department would take part with a strong delegation. Around 1,000 to 1,200 delegates from across the country are expected at the event.

IATO is the top national body representing India’s tour operators since 1982. It works to promote tourism across the country and abroad.

India