Ishfaq-ul-Hassan. SRINAGAR
After feeling happy about the 60% occupancy rate in October, the ban on SIM cards has sent the hopes of all tour operators crashing. Some tourists have already cancelled their bookings since word has spread that valley is not safe.

The tourism sector is still failing to come to the terms with the ban. "For the first time in 20 years, there was a huge rush of tourists in October. Our occupancy rate was more than 60 per cent. But the ban on pre-paid SIM cards has send wrong signals that Kashmir is not a secure place," said Mushtaq Ahmad Burza, president of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurants Owners Federation (KHROF).

Ever since the ban came into effect, there were nearly 10% cancellations. Tour operators fear that it may increase manifold in the coming days. "I have gone through my daily charts and found that there have been 10% cancellations," said Burza.

This is the second time this year that tourism has taken a hit in J&K. Speculations about the presence of Taliban had dented the tourism sector at a time when the tourist season was at its peak.

The state government had fixed a target of 15 lakh tourists and pilgrims to the valley this year. However, it had to revise that target to 10 lakh owing to the Taliban scare.

PDP patron Mufti Mohommad Sayeed said the arbitrary decision has tarnished the state's image and projected its people as untrustworthy. "If the government has doubts about our credentials, its no wonder that our youth -- players, students or traders -- are being viewed with suspicion across the country," he said.