Srinagar, March 16, KNT: Tourism stakeholders in Kashmir have raised concerns over a sharp rise in airfares for flights to Srinagar, saying the high prices during the start of the tourist season are discouraging visitors and hurting the region’s tourism industry.
Travel operators and tourism players said that while ticket prices for flights departing from Srinagar remain comparatively low, fares for flights arriving in the city have surged significantly, creating what they described as a major obstacle for tourists planning visits to the Valley.
The concern has surfaced at the beginning of the spring tourism season, which traditionally starts with the opening of the Tulip Garden in Srinagar.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated Asia’s largest tulip garden at the foothills of the Zabarwan mountains, marking the official start of the tourism season in Kashmir.
However, tourism stakeholders said that as the season begins, airfares for inbound flights have climbed sharply.
Travel data show ticket prices from several major Indian cities to Srinagar ranging between about Rs 7,000 and more than Rs 10,000.
For instance, fares from cities such as Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bangalore to Srinagar were shown between approximately Rs 7,000 and Rs 10,500 on certain dates.
In contrast, flights departing from Srinagar to cities such as Delhi or Chandigarh were listed at significantly lower prices, in some cases between roughly Rs 3,200 and Rs 5,700.
Tourism stakeholders told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that this disparity has been a recurring issue at the start of the tourist season in Kashmir.
Hotel operators and tour organisers said high inbound fares often discourage travellers who are planning trips to the Valley.
“When airfare becomes so expensive, many tourists postpone or cancel their plans. This directly affects hotels, transport operators, guides and local businesses,” said a tourism stakeholder.
The tourism sector is one of the main sources of livelihood for thousands of people in the region, including hoteliers, houseboat owners, taxi operators, artisans and tour guides.
Stakeholders said sudden spikes in airfares during peak tourism periods have repeatedly created difficulties for the industry.
Some tourism players alleged that the pattern of rising fares whenever the tourist season begins appears systematic and called for intervention by authorities.
They urged the government and aviation regulators to examine airfare trends and ensure that ticket prices remain reasonable during peak travel periods.
Industry representatives said affordable connectivity is essential for sustaining tourism growth in Kashmir, particularly during key seasons such as spring when attractions like the tulip garden draw visitors from across the country.
Tourism stakeholders said they hoped authorities would address the issue so that the ongoing tourist season could attract a larger number of visitors to the Valley. [KNT]
