The ongoing Indo-Pak conflict has led to a sharp decline in northern India-bound travel from Bengaluru, as per local tour operators. Many holidaymakers are now shelving their vacation plans amid rising safety concerns.
Nesara Tours, based in Nagarabhavi, reported a 50% dip in bookings, particularly after Operation Sindoor began on May 7. “We had over 600 planned trips to north Indian states. The Pahalgam incident triggered a wave of cancellations, starting with Kashmir,” said Mohan Hegde, the agency’s manager. With air travel disrupted at several airports, many customers had no choice but to cancel.
The most in-demand location was Leh Ladakh, a summer hotspot. Between April and August, mountain getaways like Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh usually attract Bengaluru travellers.
Royal Kashmir Tours, located on Old Airport Road, cancelled 45 group tours this May. “Hotel refunds have been delayed, some taking up to a month,” said Ali Daniel, the owner.
Travel of India in R T Nagar witnessed enquiries vanish after cancelling trips to Punjab and Himachal, especially combined packages to Amritsar and Dharamshala, noted proprietor Feroze.
Travellers like Riya Jain from Ejipura cancelled her honeymoon in Himachal due to family pressure; 60% of her refund remains pending. Manjula Desai, a birdwatcher, postponed her Kashmir expedition after local advice.
Trek organiser Jey Kumar had to cancel an August group trek to Kashmir’s Great Lakes after most participants backed out.
To salvage business, agents are now offering packages to Karnataka hill stations like Madikeri and Chikkamagaluru.
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