New Delhi: Foreign tourists in Delhi’s Paharganj are swapping the snow-capped mountains of Kasol in Himachal Pradesh for the golden sands of Goa after recent escalations between India and Pakistan. North India’s cities and towns – especially ones along the border – are being avoided.
“We were planning on going to Amritsar, Punjab, to see the Wagah border ceremony, but that’s the only change in our plans,” said Scott, from Portsmouth, UK, who had arrived in Delhi on Thursday with his wife, Carlene. “We saw Operation Sindoor commence on the news and were worried. But I’ve got full faith in India keeping us safe.”
Wearing an Indian cricket team jersey and roaming through the bylanes of Paharganj, Scott and Carlene explained that their country’s foreign office advised against travelling within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border.
Many tourists are changing plans and looking for alternative holiday destinations within India. They’re steering clear of Leh, Rishikesh, Shimla and other popular spots. The few tourists left in Delhi are scattered across Paharganj, resting in half-empty cafes or darting between traffic, with domestic travellers taking up more space in hostel community rooms.
Raj, 21, who operates the front desk at Zostel, a hostel chain with properties across India, said many foreigners are scared about the closure of airports in the north, which would leave them stranded. Instead, they are opting to travel down south – Goa being the most popular destination.
“They have come for the Golden Triangle, but some are avoiding Jaipur,” said Raj, adding that the Taj Mahal continues to be the biggest draw for tourists. “They’re also avoiding hill stations like Rishikesh, Kasol, Shimla and even Haridwar.”
At a café near the New Delhi Railway Station, school friends Louis and Luke, both 22, from the UK, discussed their travel plans considering the recent escalations. Both had done solo trips around the country and were meeting in New Delhi after a month.
“My mum was concerned,” said Louis, who had arrived in Delhi this morning after visiting Kolkata, Varanasi, and a few places in Kerala. “I was planning on traveling up to Rishikesh, but my parents are telling me to get out.”
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‘Wait and see’
Israeli nationals Itai, 21, and Shahar, 21, have decided to leave India altogether after arriving just this morning. Standing outside their hotel in Paharganj, picking up fruits from a local vendor, the couple spoke about how they intended to watch the situation unfold before making any decisions on coming back.
“We are running away to Sri Lanka,” said Shahar, chuckling at the sudden change in their itinerary. She added that her parents were stressed about their safety. “Our friends stay in the north, in Kasol.”
Itai interjected that he felt it was not dangerous in Kasol. His foreign friends who were already there had told him it was completely safe. But his primary concern was the potential closure of airports.
“Our plan is to leave, wait for things to cool down and then come back,” he said, adding that Manali and Kasol are the two places they had planned to visit. “Even though our friends in Kasol are telling us it will be completely fine, we just want to wait and see.”
Daniel, 23, and Yuval, 22, don’t share the same sentiments as their compatriots. They bought their tickets to India before the conflict started, but that hasn’t changed their travel plans. The two friends will continue onward to Manali.
“We are used to war in Israel, so we aren’t scared of what is going on,” said Yuval, adding that this is his first time in India. “The only place we are debating about is Leh, Ladakh. We may not go there.”
Stubbing out his cigarette, Scott, who runs a YouTube channel with his wife, said that he wants to show people that India still is safe, despite the recent conflict. He and Carelene have already been to Mumbai four times and Goa twice in the past. “We are continuing with our plans and doing the Golden Triangle – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.”
The Portsmouth native had recently met an Indian naval officer who had been called back to duty just a day after his wedding. The officer reassured Scott that he would be safe within the country’s borders.
“We like documenting where we are on our channel, to show people the reality,” said Carlene, adding that everybody she has met in the country has been friendly and helpful. “We feel 100 per cent safe here. We think you guys have got this.”
Udit Hinduja is a graduate from the inaugural batch of ThePrint School of Journalism.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)