Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 5: Leading travel and tourism organizations in Jammu and Kashmir today strongly condemned the sudden cancellation of confirmed tourist bookings in Gulmarg to accommodate the rescheduled Khelo India Winter Games 2025.
A spokesperson said that the Travel Agents Federation of India – J&K Chapter (TAFI-JKC), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India – J&K Chapter (ADTOI-JKC), and Indian Association of Tour Operators – J&K Chapter (IATO-JKC): Secretary General Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK); Chairman, J&K Pilgrim & Leisure Travel Agents Federation (TASK);Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Alliance and Chairman Travel Agents Association of India – J&K Chapter, “strongly oppose the abrupt cancellation of pre-booked hotel reservations in Gulmarg at the direction of the District Sports Officer and the J&K Government.”
The winter games, originally set for February 22-25, were postponed due to insufficient snowfall and are now scheduled to take place from March 7-13, 2025. “Forcibly reallocating hotels at the expense of pre-booked tourists is an unfair and unacceptable decision. Travelers who have paid in advance for their holidays will face significant inconvenience, financial losses, and potential legal disputes,” the spokesperson said. He added that many affected tourists are expected to seek redress in consumer courts, holding hoteliers, the Sports Department, and the J&K Government accountable for the disruptions.
The spokesperson emphasized that Gulmarg, an internationally recognized tourist destination, is facing severe reputational damage due to last-minute disruptions. “The Khelo India athletes could have been accommodated in Tangmarg, Kunzar, or Srinagar, allowing them to commute to Gulmarg daily without displacing existing tourist bookings,” he added.
The travel bodies also criticized a recent traffic advisory issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) – Traffic Rural, which cited slippery road conditions from Kunzar as a reason to restrict Tempo and PSV vehicles. “Ground reports confirm there are no such hazardous conditions, and it appears that unnecessary restrictions are being imposed due to Khelo India, damaging the tourist experience and tarnishing Kashmir’s image as a travel-friendly destination,” the spokesperson said.
The organizations have urged the Chief Minister, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, to intervene immediately to ensure that tourist bookings in Gulmarg remain unaffected and that the Traffic Department avoids unnecessary restrictions. “Events like Khelo India should promote tourism, not disrupt it. We expect a fair and balanced resolution that safeguards the interests of tourists, travel agents, and hoteliers while ensuring the successful execution of the sporting event,” the spokesperson added.
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