As the number of cases increased, the second wave of Covid-19 brought tourism to a halt across the country, with governments like Himachal Pradesh and J&K closing their borders to travelers in April.
As the second wave of coronavirus swept the country, states instituted stringent lockdowns. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir states rely heavily on tourism for revenue. As a result, businesses in both regions have experienced significant financial challenges.
Himachal Pradesh closed its borders to travelers in April, claiming an increase in COVID-19 cases during the deadly pandemic’s second wave.
Himachal Pradesh’s state government has now repealed section 144. The night curfew, however, will remain in effect from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The Tourism Department in Kashmir has devised a comprehensive plan to reintroduce tourists, from vaccinating 80 percent of stakeholders to laying out detailed criteria for hotels, as the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic recedes.
Surrounding 75 percent of tourism stakeholders around the Dal lake, including shikarawalas, houseboat owners, and hotel workers, have been vaccinated, according to the administration. Vaccination drives in tourist locations like Pahalgam and Gulmarg were also held. The Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Health Department and academics from Kashmir, is striving to enhance hotel employee capacity and train them on how to deal with tourist traffic.
Mr. Chisthi explained, “We’re working on new Standard Operating Procedures [SOPs] for hotels, such as assuring well-ventilated and airy places, as well as new requirements for the employees and restaurants.”
“During the second wave, the Srinagar airport’s Rapid Antigen Tests [RAT] were ineffective.
Nasir Shah, chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, Jammu, and Kashmir Chapter, suggested that RT-PCR should be made mandatory and that the number of tourists visiting Kashmir should be limited.
However, as the number of cases in most states decreases, the worldwide vaccination drive and unlock process continues, and summer holidays approach, travelers from Delhi and the NCR are once again flocking to the hills. While in Himachal Pradesh, the restrictions have loosened little.
In March of this year, the Tourism Department came under fire for putting on uncontrolled musical events and Tulip garden programs, which are thought to have led to a spike in coronavirus cases at the time. Meanwhile, Kashmir-based tour companies have urged that all tourists visiting Kashmir be required to take an RT-PCR test.
