Srinagar, July 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a significant rise in recent years, with tourist arrivals showing consistent growth following the abrogation of Article 370, except for a setback in 2025 due to a major terror attack in Pahalgam.
As the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 approaches, tourism remains one of the sectors reflecting visible growth in the Union Territory, driven by improved infrastructure, expanded hospitality facilities and increased confidence among visitors.
According to official estimates, tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir stood at around 25.24 lakh in 2020, rising sharply to 1.13 crore in 2021. The numbers further increased to 1.85 crore in 2022, 2.07 crore in 2023 and reached a record 2.36 crore in 2024.
However, tourism faced a decline in 2025 following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 tourists were killed. The Union Territory recorded around 1.78 crore tourist arrivals during the year.
The tourism sector has shown signs of recovery again, with visitors highlighting improvements in infrastructure, security arrangements and the overall travel experience.
Several tourists visiting Kashmir said they were returning for repeat visits due to the peaceful environment and hospitality extended by local residents.
A tourist visiting Kashmir for the third time said the atmosphere was more peaceful compared to previous visits, adding that cooperation from local people had made the experience better.
Another visitor from Baroda, Gujarat, who was visiting Kashmir for the second time, said improved security and local hospitality had made her latest trip a positive experience.
The growth in tourism has also encouraged major expansion in infrastructure, including hotels, guest houses, homestays and transport services. According to the Lieutenant Governor’s office, around 5,000 new hotels and guest houses have been established in Jammu and Kashmir over the past six years, while more than 20,000 tourist vehicles have been added to meet rising demand.
Tourism industry stakeholders said the renewed increase in visitor numbers reflects growing confidence among travellers and indicates a positive outlook for the future of Kashmir’s tourism sector.
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