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Article

5 Feb 2020

Author:
Joe Wallen, The Telegraph UK

India: Tourism industry in Kashmir wiped out as a result of ongoing internet blackout by Indian govt

"‘We are near to economic collapse’: Kashmir’s tourism industry decimated by India’s internet blackout", 6 February 2020

...The collapse of Kashmir’s vital tourism industry began...when the Indian government ordered all non-Kashmiris to leave the state, claiming it had received intelligence of a potential terror threat.

...Within days the Indian government brought its part of the state under central rule, ending the autonomy Kashmir had enjoyed for seven decades.

...But fearing a violent backlash, the government announced it would cut the state’s internet until law and order could be guaranteed. However, six months on internet access has still not been restored in Kashmir creating the longest communications blackout in the history of any democracy.

The internet ban, as well as the uncertain political situation, has had a catastrophic impact on the economy with the Kashmiri Chamber of Commerce (KCC) estimating that it cost the state £1.85 billion between August and December.

And one industry that has been particularly devastated by the online shutdown is tourism. 

...In 2018, 850,000 tourists visited the state, generating £862 million, with 450,000 Kashmiris dependent on the industry for their livelihoods.

However, the six-month communication shutdown has meant Kashmiris have been unable to advertise their tourism businesses, communicate over email with tourists or travel agents, accept bookings online or transfer money.

The Kashmiri tourism industry has lost £270 million since August 5, with only 50 of its 2,500 travel agents still operating and approximately 100,000 people made unemployed...