SRINAGAR, June 21: A known eatery at Residency Road is witnessing a steady stream of non-local guests for the first time since the Pahalgam attack. From veg snacks to cool sharbats, the guests, unfazed by the recent happenings, are enjoying to the hilt.
Welcome back to Paradise on Earth. Smiles have returned to tourism stakeholders with footfalls increasing by 15-20 percent in recent times. Thanks to the J&K government and tour operators’ reach-out campaign, tourists are showing renewed confidence to arrive in Kashmir.
“The tourism sector has started showing signs of recovery. Tourists have started arriving in Kashmir. I can say recovery is 15 to 20 per cent so far. You can see yourself at Boulevard, Lal Chowk, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and other places. Tourists are everywhere,” Adil Khan, General Secretary, Skal International and former president of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurants Association.
Kashmir was witnessing a massive tourist boom this year. Before April 22, Kashmir was bursting at the seams with tourists. Data accessed by The Kashmir Monitor reveals that 5,25,272 tourists visited the valley in just the first three months of 2025. This includes 5,14,845 domestic and 10,427 foreign tourists. Asia’s largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar hosted 8.55 lakh visitors from March 26 to April 24.
Last year, 34.55 lakh visited the Kashmir region, up from 6.64 lakh in 2021 and 12.11 lakh in 2016. Gulmarg Gondola, a key attraction, saw over 7.68 lakh footfalls in 2024, generating Rs 103 crore in revenue.
“Chalo Kashmir campaign and visit of several dignitaries to Kashmir played a key role in instilling confidence among tourists. Plus, there is a sweltering heatwave in other parts of the country, and Kashmir’s temperature is still 15 degrees lower. That is also the reason that tourists are again coming to Kashmir,” said Adil.
Even enquiries for bookings have started pouring in. “We are receiving enquiries about people who intend to visit. This is a positive sign,” said a tour operator.
Stakeholders are pinning hope on the Amarnath Yatra, which can prove a stepping stone for the full revival of tourism in Kashmir. “We hope after the Amarnath Yatra, tourism will bounce back again,” said Adil.
The Kashmir Monitor reached out to the higher officials, but their response is awaited.
On the other side, pinning hopes on the Kashmir train, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already stepped up efforts to revive tourism in Kashmir.
“We are very grateful to the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) for coming here and organizing this visit, because trust works both ways. Your presence assures us that we are on the right path,” the Chief Minister said.