Srinagar, Jan 16 (KNS): With the return of weekend lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir in view of a spike in COVID cases, Tourism department Kashmir has sought hassle-free travel of tourists on weekends so that there is no negative impact on the tourism sector.

In a letter to divisional commissioner Kashmir, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS), director Tourism Kashmir, G N Itoo has hassle-free movement of tourist during the weekend lockdown period. 

“The latest weekend lockdown is likely to cause difficulties to tourists who have already arrived in the Valley and are following a preplanned itinerary. They have bookings at the respective tourist destinations. Some of the tourists may also be arriving during the lockdown period in future,” reads the letter. 

It reads that the tour travel operators from across the Valley have reported that tourists are not being allowed to proceed to the respective destinations particularly to Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg despite the fact that the tourists are strictly following COVID19 protocols.

Itoo, as per the letter has requested divisional commissioner Kashmir to issue instructions to the concerned deputy commissioners in order to ensure hassle-free travel of the tourists so that there is no negative impact on the tourism sector. (KNS)