Holidaymakers forgo J&K, Ladakh, Himachal, go for South-East Asia amid border tension

KOLKATA: As tensions simmer along India's northern borders, a wave of cancellations is sweeping through once-popular summer destinations like Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.In their place, countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore are becoming the unexpected winners of this year's travel season.Travel agents across Kolkata report a surge in interest for international vacations, leading to flight prices to South-East Asia climbing steadily. The shift follows mounting security concerns and temporary airport shutdowns in the northern states - factors that have turned the spotlight away from the snow-clad Himalayas toward tropical beaches and bustling Asian cities."We are asking travellers to remain cautious and avoid the mountains in north India for the time being. Since Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh tour packages are pretty expensive, we are offering them foreign tours in almost the same money," said Anil Punjabi, national committee member (East) Travel Agents Federation of India. Manav Soni of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) added that they were also asking tourists to avoid the usual summer hot spots in north India and choose safer destinations in India and abroad.India has shut down 27 airports across its northern, western, and central regions, causing widespread flight disruptions and travel concerns. From Kolkata, domestic flights from cities including Amritsar, Hindon, Chandigarh, and Srinagar were cancelled, alongside a few international services from Bangladesh's Chittagong and Dhaka.Kolkata's air traffic control has also revised its flight management strategies in response to restrictions over Pakistan's airspace, mirroring changes made by other ATCs across the country. Tour operators report growing anxiety among passengers as cancellations, diversions, and even citywide blackouts have thrown travel plans into disarray leading to the mood among Indian travellers change dramatically in just a few days. Once eager to explore the cool serenity of the mountains, tourists are now prioritising stability, security - and in many cases, foreign experiences. To stay ahead of the demand, travel agencies are pre-booking tickets to destinations like Bali and Bangkok, locking in rates before they surge further.For Aroon Sahani from Tangra, the change was bittersweet. He and 14 others planned an elaborate eight-day journey through Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg. Now, they are swapping pine forests for palm trees, heading to Bali on May 17."This would be my first trip to Kashmir," said Sahani. "All three families in our group were excited. But this just doesn't feel like the right time. We're proud of India standing firm, but we would rather not take risks. Bali felt like the perfect alternative - same cost but different vibe." Abhishek Gupta from Ekbalpore faced a similar dilemma. His Ladakh trip, set for late May, was scrapped when news broke about the temporary airport closure and heightened border conflict.Now, he is off to Thailand. "I had been to Thailand before, but this will be the first foreign holiday for my wife and son," Gupta said.