India’s escalating border tensions with Pakistan are beginning to rattle the country’s travel and tourism sector. With a few airports in North India temporarily shut and airlines issuing warnings against flying close to the border, the travel industry is starting to see early signs of disruption — particularly for inbound tourists and those heading towards northern hill destinations.
An executive in the travel business summed it up, saying: “People will start to become more cautious. What will be most affected is inbound travel until the situation de-escalates.”
While many in the industry are hoping this is only a short-term blip, they admit it’s too early to tell. The executive also mentioned that several Indians are starting to rethink their own international travel plans — not just due to safety concerns, but also because of rising ticket prices and uncertain flight paths.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The summer months are usually peak season for travel to the hills of North India — places like Shimla, Manali, Leh, and Srinagar draw crowds fleeing the heat. But this year, the political climate may be colder than the mountains.
Chander K Baljee, chairman and managing director of Royal Orchid Hotels, repoertedly said there has already been a wave of holiday cancellations to destinations like Shimla, Amritsar, and Srinagar. “Any sign of war leads to a drop in travel. Domestic tourism to the northern belt will be subdued in the near term, but should not impact the vast majority of the country,” he told Business Standard. He added that after the Pahalgam attacks, it took nearly a week for India to show support to the local economy in Jammu & Kashmir.
Travel companies are already advising customers to avoid certain parts of the country. Karan Agarwal, director at Cox & Kings, noted that travellers must now weigh their desire to explore against the broader security situation.
“At times like this, people should reconsider non-essential travel to areas like Kashmir, parts of Jammu, Leh, and Amritsar. These are often the first to face disruptions when tensions flare,” he said.
It’s not just domestic routes feeling the pressure. Agarwal also pointed out that international flights are being rerouted to avoid Pakistani airspace. This has led to longer flight times on routes to Europe, North America, and even transit hubs in the Middle East. Passengers heading to cities like London, Frankfurt, Toronto, and Dubai might experience delays or changes in flight schedules.
The effects of the current situation aren’t limited to leisure tourism. Business travel — particularly MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) — may also suffer. The Indian government has been actively promoting MICE tourism in recent years, and any disruption here could be a setback.
Adding to the concerns, foreign governments have started issuing travel advisories. The US Embassy in New Delhi and the British High Commission have cautioned against travel to specific parts of India, including Jammu & Kashmir. China has urged its citizens to avoid “conflict zones,” while Canada has told travellers to exercise a “high degree of caution” due to the threat of terror strikes.
