Tourism in Ladakh has been severely affected due to ongoing protests in Leh. After the Pahalgam attack in April, Ladakh was already witnessing fewer tourists compared to the previous years, and now with the latest protests, many travellers are planning to cancel their trip. Keep reading for more details.
Protests In Leh Affect Ladakh Tourism
On September 24, the authorities in Leh imposed an indefinite curfew following violent confrontations. Due to the worsening situation in the region, at least four people have been killed and over 150 injured. Communication has become difficult for both tourists and locals as internet and mobile services are also suspended.
According to Hindustan Times, due to the severe situation in Leh, many tourist bookings have being cancelled, and that too on a daily basis. In talks with PTI, Naseeb Singh, a hotel manager in Leh, stated that this is the first time he has witnessed such a situation in the otherwise peaceful region. Not only Ladakh, but Kargil also observed a complete shutdown, reported The Indian Express.
Tourism Sector In The Region
After the Pahalgam attack, tourism in Leh and Ladakh was severely affected. Now, with the current incident in the region, tourism is not expected to improve anytime soon. Many tourists currently in Leh have reported difficulties due to the curfew and service suspensions.
One of them is Sheena, a tourist from Taiwan, who, in talks with Hindustan Times, revealed that she was unable to exchange currency, buy food, or visit Pangong Lake as planned. The markets are closed, and internet services are not working. Many other services in the area are also unavailable, prompting disruption of normal activities and daily operations.
With tourism being important for the economy in both Leh and Ladakh, we hope the situation gets under control soon. Authorities are now working to bring the original state of the region back and attract tourism.
Also Read: At 17,200 Ft, Ladakh’s 91 Km Hanle-Chumar Road To Improve Connectivity &Boost Tourism In The Region
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