Srinagar, Mar 06: 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) strongly condemned the abrupt cancellation of confirmed hotel bookings in Gulmarg on the direction of the District Sports Officer and the J&K Government for the rescheduled Khelo India 2025 event, now set to take place from 7th to 13th March 2025.
Originally scheduled from 22nd to 25th February 2025, the event was postponed due to insufficient snowfall. However, forcibly reallocating hotels at the cost of pre-booked tourists is an unfair and unacceptable decision that will cause significant inconvenience to travelers who have paid in advance for their holidays, a statement issued to the INS reads, adding that this will likely lead to financial losses and potential legal disputes, with many tourists expected to seek redress in Consumer Court, holding hoteliers, the Sports Department, and the J&K Government fully liable for the disruptions.
Gulmarg is an internationally recognized tourist destination, and such last-minute disruptions severely damage its reputation and negatively impact the tourism industry. The Khelo India athletes could have been accommodated in Tangmarg, Kunzar, or Srinagar, allowing them to commute daily to Gulmarg without disrupting existing tourist bookings.
Additionally, the traffic advisory issued by SSP – Traffic Rural, citing slippery conditions from Kunzar for Tempo and PSV Vehicles, is further burdening tourists. Ground reports confirm that there are no such hazardous conditions on the said route. It appears that unnecessary restrictions are being imposed due to Khelo India, which is damaging the tourist experience and tarnishing Kashmir’s image as a travel-friendly destination.
We urged the Chief Minister, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, to intervene immediately and ensure that: Tourist bookings in Gulmarg hotels remain undisturbed and unaffected by the event. The Traffic Department avoids imposing unnecessary restrictions based on false claims.
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.
