AGRA, April 5 -- The peak tourism season in the city of Taj Mahal has come to a premature end, closing nearly a month ahead of its usual mid-April conclusion due to the escalating conflict in West Asia. The downturn is largely attributed to severe flight disruptions across the Gulf region. With airspace over major transit hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar increasingly deemed unsafe, many airlines have restricted or cancelled the traditional layovers on routes connecting Europe to India. Foreign tourist inflow to Agra has gone down by at least 30% compared to last year during this period, said Sunil Gupta, chairman for Northern Region Indian Association of Tour Operators. According to a rough estimate, half of international passengers from or to India prefer the route through Gulf nations and thus war in West Asia has affected international travel, said a tour operator. Rajeev Saxena, former president of the Tourism Guild of India, noted that the Gulf route had become a highly popular and economical choice for European travellers over the last decade, replacing older transit paths through East Asia. "Tourism already came to a halt in March due to the war in West Asia," he said. He added that the sea route is equally affected, with global cruises that typically reach Mumbai ports by mid-April-bringing tourists who travel onward to Agra-also severely disrupted. "The war in this part of Asia has generated a wave of fear, which is a strict no for tourism. Not only has the inflow of distant tourists fallen, but the worst part is that no queries are being made for future travel in the summers ahead," stated Gupta. The conflict's ripple effects have impacted specific international demographics. The festival of Nowruz on March 20, which traditionally brings chartered flights of Iranian tourists to India, saw travellers staying back due to the raging war. Hoteliers also note a stark absence of Israeli tourists, who visit during these months. Compounding the crisis for local businesses is domestic panic over petrol, diesel and commercial LPG supplies. Hotels in Agra are largely empty of tourists, relying almost entirely on weddings and conferences to stay afloat. "The panic over fuel has also halted domestic tourism. Hotels are reeling under the shortage or costlier commercial gas cylinders and have curtailed live counters during events," Saxena explained. Sandeep Arora, who runs a hotel near the southern gate of the Taj Mahal, echoed the struggles of the local hospitality sector. "Hotels are weathering tough times. Shortage of commercial LPG or availability at costlier rates has forced hotel kitchens to resort to menus that consume less fuel. We pray for an early end to the war in West Asia," he said....