Airfare hike affects tourist inflow to Srinagar

Srinagar, May 12 (ANI): An increase in the airfare rates to Srinagar has affected tourist inflow into the region, leading to diversion of tourist traffic to other destinations.

Tourists expect a round-trip ticket to cost around Rs 5,000 during peak season from New Delhi to Srinagar, but it is reported to be in the range of rupees 13,000.

"If I get air ticket to Goa for rupees 5,000-6,000, why would I spend 20,000 to come here? Even the packages for Shimla and Kullu-Manali are very good in terms of air packages. The packages are at proper level but, here, the airfare is very fluctuating," said Kalish Kumar, a tourist from Mumbai.

Hoteliers are also worried about the airline policy during the summer vacations.

Travel agents say their low-cost tourist packages have been hampered by the airfare hike. This is a problem we are facing every year, and a normal person who wants to come here in the vacation cannot afford it," said Tanveer Ahmad, a travel agent.

Severe heat across the country have made it a preferred tourist destination but the soaring airfares are leading tourists to other hill stations. (ANI)