Ladakh’s tourism sector, already struggling from earlier setbacks this season, has suffered another blow following the curfew in Leh after last week’s violent incidents, reported news agency PTI.

 

Industry stakeholders said that tourism was first hit by widespread cancellations after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, and the recent unrest has further shaken traveller confidence.

 

Indefinite Curfew

 

An indefinite curfew was imposed in Leh on September 24 after clashes during a shutdown called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body, which has been leading an agitation for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. Four people were killed and more than 150 injured in the violence.

 

Apart from a brief four-hour relaxation on Saturday afternoon, the town remained under strict curfew for the sixth consecutive day on Monday, with mobile internet services suspended. This has led to cancelled bookings and significant hardship for tourists and local businesses.

 

“The cancellation of advance bookings by our guests has continued almost daily for the last week. There is also a shortage of supplies due to the town being closed since last Wednesday,” said Naseeb Singh, a hotel manager, to PTI.

 

Tourism: A Lifeline for Ladakh

 

Tourism is a key sector in Ladakh, supporting activities such as transport, hospitality, and cottage industries. According to government data, the sector generates over 60 percent of Ladakh’s total revenue. More than half of the population depends directly or indirectly on tourism. Leh alone has approximately 317 hotels, 691 guest houses, 1,055 homestays, and 105 camps.

 

Singh, who has worked in Leh for nearly a decade, said he has never witnessed such a situation in the usually peaceful region. Local transporter Rigzin Dorjey added that the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which claimed 26 lives, had already severely affected tourism despite the two regions being separate Union Territories.