Introduction:
Tourism around the world is buzzing with major developmentsāfrom reopened sacred pilgrimages and new travel routes to growing concerns about over-tourism. Hereās a roundup of the most important travel and tourism news making headlines today
Pahalgam Aftermath-48 Sites, Resorts Shut for Tourists in Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has temporarily closed 48 tourist destinations and resorts across Kashmir in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people.
Though there has been no official confirmation, the media reports suggest the destinations have been closed for security reasons. The destinations declared no go areas for tourists include some famous nature retreats and resorts and some popular eateries in downtown Srinagar.
District Srinagar:Ā Jamia Masjid, Badamwari, Rajori Kadal Hotel Kanaaz, Aali Kadal JJ Food Restaurant, IVORY Hotel, Padshapal resorts and restaurant, Cherry tree resort (Faqir Gujri), North cliff cafe and retreat by Stay Pattern, Forest hill cottage, Eco village resort (Dara), Astanmarg View Point, Astanmarg Paragliding, Mamneth and Mahadev Hills, Buddhist Monastery, Dachigam ā Beyond Trout Farm / Fisheries Farm, Astanpora (especially Qayam Gah resort, Lachpatri.
District Baramulla:Ā Wular/Watlab, Rampora and Rajpora, Chearhar, Mundij-Hamam-Markoot Waterfall, Khampoo, Bosnia, Vijitop, Babareshi, Shrunz Waterfall, Kamanpost, Namblan Waterfall, Eco Park Khadniyar, Gogaldara, Habba Khatoon Point, Ringawali, Baderkote.
District Budgam :Ā Yousmarg, Tousimaidan, Doodpathri.
District Anantnag:Ā Sun Temple, Verinag Garden, Sinthan Top, Margantop, Akad Park.
District Kupwara:Ā Bangus, Kariwan Diver Chandigam, Bangus Valley.
District Ganderbal:Ā Hung Park and Naranag.
District Pulwama:Ā Sangarwani.
Maharashtra to establish āTourism Security Forceā atĀ popular destinations
Following theĀ Pahalgam terror attack, the Maharashtra government has established a āTourism Security Force (Paryatan Mitra)ā to boost tourism and prioritise tourist safety in the State. Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai said he aims to provide tourists a safe and secure experience through this initiative.
The Maharashtra Tourism Security Force will be started on a pilot basis during the Mahabaleshwar festival in Satara district, which will be held from May 1 to May 4.
The Tourism Department will appoint tourism police on a contractual basis to create a sense of security among the tourists coming to the State. Mr. Desai said, āThe force will also provide necessary information about the culture, history, tourist places, laws, rules and tourism, promoting sustainable tourism.ā
s at Mumbaiās Gateway of India | Photo Credit: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury
Following theĀ Pahalgam terror attack, the Maharashtra government has established a āTourism Security Force (Paryatan Mitra)ā to boost tourism and prioritise tourist safety in the State. Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai said he aims to provide tourists a safe and secure experience through this initiative.
The Maharashtra Tourism Security Force will be started on a pilot basis during the Mahabaleshwar festival in Satara district, which will be held from May 1 to May 4.
The Tourism Department will appoint tourism police on a contractual basis to create a sense of security among the tourists coming to the State. Mr. Desai said, āThe force will also provide necessary information about the culture, history, tourist places, laws, rules and tourism, promoting sustainable tourism.ā
The Tourism Department has directed the State Security Board and Maharashtra Ex-Servicemen Corporation Ltd. (MESCO) to submit the details of their employees as soon as possible.
āThe launching of the Tourism Security Force will give a new lease of life to tourism and, at the same time, create new employment opportunities at local places,ā stated Mr. Desai.
The force will undergo special training to guide and protect tourists and have modern technology and a coordinated system to respond immediately in emergencies. Facilities like CCTV, helpline and an immediate response system will be available at tourist destinations.
rincipal Secretary Atul Patne also mentioned that this is a positive step towards creating a security shield for tourists. āIt will increase the influx of tourists towards tourism and provide economic benefits to local communities,ā said Mr. Patne.
Mahabaleshwar Festival
The pilot project will be implemented during the Mahabaleshwar Festival, where 25 personnel will be appointed through the Office of the Satara District Superintendent of Police. These personnel will be provided with the necessary training for the safety of tourists and as per the planning of the festival. This force will remain operational from 25 April to 31 August 2025.
Satara Superintendent of Police will appoint senior officers to ensure personnel perform their duties appropriately. The expenditure incurred for this initiative will be borne by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation in coordination with the Maharashtra State Security Corporation and the Office of the Satara District Superintendent of Police.
After the successful implementation on a pilot basis at the Mahabaleshwar Festival, a āMaharashtra Tourism Security Forceā will be set up for the entire Maharashtra. Under this initiative, a target of ā¹1 lakh crore private investment and 18 lakh direct and indirect employment generation has been set in the tourism sector.
Arunachal tourism gets boost as RGU Commerce department lands major consultancy project
NEDFi has awarded Rajiv Gandhi University’s commerce department a significant consultancy project aimed at transforming tourism in Arunachal Pradesh through increased private investment.
The formal agreement was signed on Monday at NEDFi headquarters in Guwahati between NEDFi General Manager Olee Bora and RGU Commerce Department Head Prof RC Parida.
The eight-month project will identify obstacles facing private investors across key tourism sectors, including hospitality, tour operations, event management, transport services, homestays, and restaurants.
Researchers will analyse existing legal frameworks and government schemes while evaluating opportunities for expanded public and private sector participation in the state’s tourism economy.
The initiative will culminate in a strategic blueprint featuring actionable policy recommendations and detailed bankable project profiles designed to attract investors.
The study will incorporate input from diverse stakeholders, including community leaders, local entrepreneurs, government officials, and tourism experts, to ensure comprehensive perspectives.
Upon completion, the final report is expected to serve as a roadmap for sustainable tourism growth in the state, potentially creating new economic opportunities for local communities.Ā (PTI)
Pahalgam attack LIVE: High-level Home Ministry meeting underway amid security concerns
Pakistanās Defence Minister said on Monday (April 28, 2025),Ā āa military incursionā by India was imminentĀ in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.
TheĀ attack killed 26 peopleĀ and triggered outrage in India, along with calls for action against Pakistan.
āWe have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So in that situation, some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken,ā Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters in an interview at his office in Islamabad.
Soon after taking over the investigation of the Pahalgam terror case, theĀ National Investigation Agency investigators spoke with Dr. Sujatha, Bhushanās wife, at their home in Mathikere and recorded her statement about the attack and their visit in detail. The officials sought details about the attack on her husband, if the terrorists spoke to Dr. Sujatha and if so, what her response was and the physical features of the attackers.
Now, tourism as a weapon against terrorism
Sources said the Ministry of External Affairs is also joining the effort by appealing to countries that issued travel advisories telling their citizens not to visit Jammu and Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack
Bollywood stars and country-wide tour operators are joining hands to instil a sense of confidence that was shattered to some extent by the recentĀ Pahalgam terror attack, which left 25 tourists dead.
Sources said the Ministry of External Affairs is also joining the effort by appealing to countries that issuedĀ travel advisories telling their citizens not to visit Jammu and KashmirĀ after the attack, including the U.S., the U.K., Australia and Canada. In a special briefing for about 20 envoys last week, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had also made a specific request that countries that had put up the advisories should take them down, and consider the impact the cancellations by tourists would have on the economy in the State, various diplomatic sources toldĀ The Hindu.
Officials also said the J&K government and the Centre are likely to launch joint campaigns to see tourism back on track in Kashmir. Since the abrogation of Article 370, tourism has been the Centreās rallying cry as a sign of a return to normalcy in Kashmir. A record 26 lakh tourists visited Kashmir in 2024, and over a dozen new tourism destinations were popularised.
Get Daily Updates on Tourism ! šš¶
For bookings and inquiries, contact us:
š² Call/WhatsApp: +91 7044073097 / 9435733097
š§ Email: enquiry@holidayeyes.co.in
š Website: www.holidayeyes.co.in
