Gurez Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, one of India’s most promising offbeat travel destinations, has abruptly shut down following a government-issued travel advisory. The announcement—issued by the Bandipora Police on June 9, 2025—has triggered mass booking cancellations in the popular sectors of Dawar, Tulail, and Kanzalwan, leaving hotels, homestays, and tour operators in disarray.
The advisory follows an earlier government order suspending tourism at nearly 50 locations across Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. With Gurez’s proximity to the Line of Control (LoC), authorities have cited safety concerns as the reason behind the suspension of all tourist movement on the 85-kilometre Bandipora-Gurez road. The advisory includes helpline numbers from the Police Control Room for travel updates and emergency contact.
Gurez Valley: A Rising Star in India’s Offbeat Travel Scene
Once a restricted military zone, Gurez Valley was opened to tourists in 2007 and quickly gained popularity for its untouched alpine beauty, scenic meadows, snow-capped peaks, and the warm hospitality of its Dard-Shina-speaking residents. From 2018 to early 2025, Gurez emerged as a must-visit destination for travellers seeking peace, raw nature, and cultural immersion—far from crowded hubs like Gulmarg or Sonamarg.
Dawar, the valley’s commercial hub, witnessed a surge in local investment with the opening of 13 hotels and over 40 registered homestays. The sectors of Tulail and Kanzalwan, too, drew attention for their pristine landscapes and traditional wooden homes, contributing to Gurez’s rise as an eco-tourism and heritage hotspot.
Peak Season Shutdown Deals Economic Blow to Locals
The sudden travel ban couldn’t have come at a worse time. Gurez’s tourism window is extremely short—usually from April to September—due to heavy snowfall and challenging terrain. This limited summer season is vital for locals who depend entirely on tourism-related income to sustain themselves through the harsh winter months when the valley is cut off from the rest of the state.
Pre-bookings worth crores have been abruptly cancelled, affecting hotel owners, transport providers, chefs, guides, and pony handlers. While safety remains paramount, the lack of prior consultation with local stakeholders has sparked anger and disillusionment. Residents say they were neither warned nor involved in discussions before the advisory was enforced.
Gurez’s Popularity: A Testament to Local Resilience
What makes this shutdown particularly disheartening is the immense work done by locals to put Gurez on the travel map. From eco-conscious accommodations and cultural festivals to trekking trails and curated homestay experiences, Gurez had become a model for community-led tourism in conflict-sensitive zones.
In recent years, travel influencers and content creators helped boost Gurez’s visibility across social media, making it a trending summer getaway for both domestic and international tourists. Its growing popularity was even drawing comparisons with destinations like Turtuk and Nubra Valley in Ladakh.
What Lies Ahead for Gurez Valley Tourism?
As hotel rooms lie vacant and shops close early for the season, Gurez faces a silent summer. For a region that redefined itself through self-reliance and peace-driven tourism, the road to recovery will demand more than policy changes. It will require transparency, long-term commitment, and a genuine partnership between the government and the people of Gurez.
Tourism experts suggest that Gurez’s revival will depend on proactive safety reviews, better communication, and phased reopening plans in coordination with local stakeholders. The valley’s potential as a sustainable, low-impact destination must be safeguarded—not silenced.
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