Image showing a boat on the Nigeen lake in Jammu and Kashmir.
Credit: iStock Photo
Srinagar: Tourist arrivals in Kashmir have broken all previous records as nearly three million tourists have already arrived here to date this year, marking a significant boost in the region’s tourism sector.
The total tourist footfall in 2024 stands at approximately 2.95 million, a notable rise from the 2.71 million visitors in 2023 and 2.67 million in 2022, according to official data.
According to local Tourism Department officials, aggressive promotional campaigns through tourism events, road shows, and digital and social media presence has resulted in increasing arrival of visitors to the Valley.
More encouraging this year is the fact that with the improved law and order situation and the prevailing peace, foreign tourists have started coming to Kashmir in good numbers.
Compared to 37,000 foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, this year 43,000 international visitors arrived by December 20. This increase reflects the growing appeal of Kashmir as an international travel destination, despite global uncertainties.
Tourism stakeholders say that one major reason for increased foreign tourist arrivals has been the successful G20 Tourism Meeting held in Srinagar in May 2023, which created a buzz and showcased the region’s potential for tourism on a global platform.
They are optimistic about the future, with hopes of attracting even more foreign tourists in the coming years, spurred by enhanced infrastructure, improved security, and global marketing campaigns. The rise in foreign footfall is also seen as a positive sign of Kashmir’s gradual integration into mainstream international tourism.
Director of Tourism Raja Yaqoob Farooq says the focus now is to promote high-end and high-value tourism while ensuring there is no ecological imbalance. “All relevant departments will be sensitized and involved in safeguarding the region’s environmental integrity,” he said while replying to a query.
The tourism industry is the second main industry in Kashmir after horticulture. While horticulture is believed to generate Rs 10,000 to 11,000 crore for the local economy, the tourism industry is believed to pump in another Rs 7,000 to 7,500 crore annually into the local economy.
The earnings from tourism sustains hoteliers, houseboat owners, cab operators, pony wallahs, guides and travel operators, in addition to handicraft artisans like shawl, carpet, wood carving and papier mache craftsmen.
The surge in tourism comes on the heels of a challenging period marked by the global Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 which severely impacted the tourism industry worldwide including Kashmir’s hospitality sector.