GILGIT, June 1: The stand-off between Pakistan and India has dealt a blow to the tourism industry in Northern Areas that is still reeling under the effects of the Sept 11 terrorists attacks in the United States.

Tourism activities began to dwindle immediately after the Sept 11 attacks, and remained quite insignificant until April when the tourism season begins in the region.

Hoteliers and travel agents have informed Dawn that they are seriously considering either winding up their businesses or shifting somewhere else because of the prevailing circumstances, saying that they have to pay rents and for the maintenance of their shops and outlets with earning actually nothing.

The woes of handicrafts and antiques’ dealers, too, seem to be multiplying day by day. Disappointed with the poor sales, they have demanded that their loans be rescheduled.

Those affiliated with the tourism industry in Hunza, Nagar and Baltistan, the most affected areas, have demanded that their loans be written off.