The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), the apex national body for adventure tourism, has strongly endorsed Jammu & Kashmir as a safe and secure destination for visitors. The association has called upon the Union Territory administration to reopen all tourist spots that were closed following the terror attack in Pahalgam.
ATOAI President Asserts Normalcy and Safety
Addressing a press conference on Friday, ATOAI President Ajeet Bajaj stated that the association successfully conducted its 17th annual convention in Srinagar without any security issues. He revealed that several members undertook trips to popular destinations like Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Gulmarg during the event. "Everything is great here, and back to normal," Bajaj affirmed. He expressed the body's eagerness to bring more tourists back to the region at the earliest and to see all areas accessible for adventure tourism once again.
While acknowledging that certain situations remain beyond anyone's control, Bajaj shared his personal commitment, stating, "I have been coming to Gulmarg every winter. We all believe J&K is the adventure destination of the country, and we will promote safe and sustainable tourism here."
Chief Minister Highlights Resilience and Challenges
The convention was inaugurated by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on December 17. In his address, the CM positioned J&K as an ideal location to become a major global hub for adventure tourism. He described 2025 as a difficult year, noting it began with the Pahalgam terror attack and concluded with the Delhi blast a month prior.
Abdullah stated that the region was grappling with circumstances "not of our making." He praised the extraordinary resilience of Kashmir's tourism industry, emphasizing that only those within the sector truly understand the challenges of surviving such uncertainty. "It is a testament to their strength," he said, adding that the government is committed to ensuring tourism continues to flourish.
Reiterating the Demand for Reopening
Earlier in the week, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had reiterated his demand for the reopening of tourist locations, including sections of upper Gulmarg, which were shut after the Pahalgam incident. He argued that the current security situation does not warrant prolonged closures, pointing out that Kashmir has endured far more challenging periods in the past. He cited the example of the mid-1990s, a tense security period, when tourism sites remained open to the public.
While the UT administration has reopened several popular tourist areas in a phased manner following the attack, numerous destinations continue to remain off-limits. The ATOAI's endorsement adds significant weight to the calls for a full reopening, highlighting the confidence of industry professionals in the region's safety and normalcy.
