It seems that the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir has been jinxed, as stakeholders are once again in a dilemma this year on account of the unprecedented problem of LPG shortage just before the start of the tourist season.
It is pertinent to mention that last year also proved unlucky for the tourism sector as terror strike in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed several people, changed the course of life in J&K as soon after that there was a military conflict between India and Pakistan and many tourist destinations across J&K were declared out-of-bound for visitors putting a full stop on tourist activity. Later, during the monsoon season, the inclement weather, inundation, landslides and mudslides wreaked havoc completely washing out the prospects of tourism revival.
As things were improving with tourism stakeholders expecting a good season ahead in 2026, the ongoing tensions and conflict in West Asia have disrupted cooking gas supplies across the country, triggering panic buying of LPG cylinders in Jammu and Kashmir also and raising a big question mark on the fate of tourism.
Consequently, the hoteliers and restaurant owners have raised concerns over a shortage of LPG cylinders, warning that it could lead to the closure of hotels, restaurants and eateries in the coming days, as there has been a sudden surge in demand for gas cylinders in the region. It seems that people associated with tourism industry in J&K especially in Kashmir will have to face a bad time yet again because the tourist footfall was expected with the opening of the world-famous Tulip Garden in Srinagar on March 16 but the crisis of fuel due to US-Israel alliance and Iran has led to acute shortage of cooking gas and the hotels in the region are on the verge of closure on account of dearth of cooking gas.
Though Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has assured that Valley has adequate reserves of petrol, diesel, and LPG to last for over a fortnight but then also panic buying in the region has been worsening the situation making things difficult for the government as well as commercial establishments as centre has issued directions for giving preference to delivery of domestic LPG.
It is the time that people should keep their fingers crossed and see what happens next but things seem to be unfavourable for the tourist sector because with such kind of uncertainty with regard to fuel availability and prices no one will opt to leave home and hearth.
There is good news coming from the West Asia Front that Iran has reportedly allowed Indian flagged ships to move in the Strait of Hormuz, which is likely to ease the pressure back home and therefore now all hopes are on the outcome of this permission besides buying energy from Russia. People should remain positive during this time of stress and hope for the best.
