In light of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has issued an official advisory requesting comprehensive support for tourists currently in or planning to travel to the region.
Dated April 23, 2025, the directive has been issued to a wide range of travel ecosystem stakeholders—including Online Travel Aggregators (OTAs), travel agents, tour operators, hotel chains, and transport providers. It requests that these entities extend all possible assistance to affected tourists, including waiving off cancellation charges for bookings made in the Kashmir region.
The letter, signed by Tourism Secretary V. Vidyavathi, specifically urges platforms such as MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Goibibo, ClearTrip, EaseMyTrip, Ixigo, Airbnb, Agoda, Thrillophilia, Booking.com, and Expedia to cooperate. It also encourages the broader Tourism and Hospitality Industry Associations to support the initiative.
The Ministry has also sent copies of the advisory to the Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for information and appropriate action.
This move comes amid heightened concerns for the safety of tourists following the April 21 Pahalgam incident, which led to a sharp increase in outbound flight traffic from Srinagar. The Centre’s initiative seeks to minimize disruption for travelers and ensure coordinated support during this sensitive period.
