Divisional Com Kashmir urges hotel, houseboat, travel operators to refund full booking amounts to affected tourists
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: In light of the prevailing circumstances impacting travel and tourism in the Kashmir Valley, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has directed all stakeholders in the tourism sector to offer necessary assistance to tourists, including waiving cancellation fees and refunding full booking amounts.
An official communication issued by the Office of the Divisional Commissioner, refers to a circular from the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir (vide No. Reg/100/368/DTK) which mandates all tourist trade operators—including hoteliers, guest house and homestay owners, houseboat operators, travel and excursion agents—to provide refunds without imposing any cancellation charges.
The letter, addressed to the heads of prominent tourism-related associations, including the Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA), the Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association (KHBOA), and the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), among others, stresses the importance of providing necessary support to both tourists and affected stakeholders.
Kindly refer the Circular issued by Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir vide No Reg/100/368/DTK dated 26.04.2025 wherein it has been enjoined that all tourist trade operators including Hoteliers/Guest house Owners/Home stay owners/Houseboat owners/ Travel agents/ Excursion Agents etc to refund any booking amount to tourists / affected stakeholders in the wake of present circumstances, it reads.
“In this connection, I am directed to request to kindly offer necessary assistance / waive off cancellation fees and refund the booking amounts to the tourists/affected stakeholders in the wake of present circumstances,” the letter states.
This development comes at a time when it is being reported that several hoteliers are allegedly denying refunding full booking amounts to affected tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has also issued a similar advisory following the recent incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The ministry’s letter dated 23 April 2025, and signed by Secretary (Tourism) V. Vidyavathi, requests all service providers—including travel agents, OTAs (Online Travel Aggregators), transporters, hoteliers, and other accommodation providers—to extend full support to tourists by waiving off cancellation charges and offering all possible assistance.
“This is in the aftermath of the recent incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. It is requested that all the tourist service providers, travel agents, tour operators, Online Travel Aggregators (OTAs), tourist transport providers, hoteliers and all other accommodation units may provide all possible assistance to the tourists including waiving off cancellation fees. Your support is greatly appreciated,” the letter stated.
