Rendering a death blow to the tourism season in India, five countries including the US and the UK have issued advisories asking their citizens to exercise caution when travelling to India in view of terrorist threat during the festive season. The move was met with strong protest from the hospitality industry and the tourism ministry that has already taken up the issue with the foreign office.

Countries including US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia have issued advisories alerting their citizens against terror attacks in India. This has spread panic in the travel industry which fears 10-15% cancellations if the advice is not withdrawn.

As per a report in TOI by Himanshi Dhawan, a delegation of top hoteliers, travel agents and restaurant owners met tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahai recently. Sahai said, "This is very unfortunate. The advisories by countries come at a time when 100% booking is being reported in J&K. The issue of terrorism should not be raised to create a scare. I have taken up the issue with the foreign secretary that the countries should be asked to withdraw the travel advisories with immediate effect.''

Hotel Association of India president Nakul Anand admitted that the advisories issued from large source markets like US and UK would impact the inflow of business and leisure travellers in the country. "Given the fact that it has been issued at the start of what is typically perceived as the beginning of the tourist and business season in India, it is bound to impede the forecasts for the industry,'' he said, adding that there were bound to be cancellations in the season.

Travel Agents Association of India former president Rajinder Rai said the advisories would lead to a lot of trouble for the industry. "We fear that 10-15% of the bookings in this season might be cancelled. We have taken up the issue with the tourism ministry demanding that the advisories be withdrawn. It is a completely unfair practice,'' Rai said.