Srinagar, Oct. 15 -- Suhail Gaznavi

Every tourist season in Kashmir is celebrated as an economic success. Hotels report high occupancy, restaurants become crowded, taxis remain busy, markets see increased footfall, and social media fills with photographs of Dal Lake, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.This argument is not against tourists coming to Kashmir, nor is it against the expansion of the tourism sector. On the contrary, Kashmir needs more tourism, better tourism infrastructure and greater investment in the sector. Tourism has enormous potential to generate employment, support local businesses, promote Kashmiri culture and strengthen the wider economy. The question, therefore, is not whether more tourists should come to Kashmir, but w...