Kashmir hotels feel unrest chill

Only 10,059 tourists have visited the state this month compared to around 90,000 in July

The recent unrest in Kashmir, where over 60 people have died, and the resultant curfew, now in the seventh week, have resulted in huge losses for the tourism industry in the Valley. Luxury and mid-segment hotels in Kashmir that regularly saw advance bookings are now running empty.

Properties such as the Vivanta by Taj, Dal View, and The Lalit Grand Palace, Srinagar, have seen occupancy plummet to under 8 per cent, significantly lower than the approximate 80 per cent reported last month. “Till July the occupancy rate at the Taj was 88 per cent. That is now down to