Tourism brings in around Rs. 8,000 crores annually to Kashmir, second only to horticulture and it supports nearly 70,000 jobs.
From Kashmiri hotels, guides, and tour operators to the guy booking your package in your own city, everyone has a stake in getting you to visit Kashmir. And yes, theyтАЩll all swear itтАЩs perfectly safe. Media overhypes. ItтАЩs all normal. Chill. Even the govt wants you there. Tourists help paint that lovely illusion of normalcy.
This money has to be dried up. So, itтАЩs your call. Go if you want. But donтАЩt be naive. Weigh the risks. DonтАЩt let tour operators blur the reality.
And if someone hits you with the тАЬitтАЩs our land, we must go or they win, danger is everywhereтАЭ, ask them to lead by example. Pack up, take their families, and make it an annual tradition.