Srinagar, Jan 09 (KNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that a significant surge in tourist arrivals is being observed across Kashmir’s premier destinations following recent snowfall, marking a gradual revival for the Kashmir’s vital tourism industry.
Reflecting on a challenging previous year, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said as Kashmir News Service (KNS), “2025 was difficult for us. Just as tourism was beginning to recover, the Delhi bomb blast proved to be another setback, following the deadliest Pahalgam terror attack earlier in the year.” He added, “However, since the snowfall began, tourism in Kashmir has increased.”
He indicated a shift in strategy regarding publicity, stating, “We will not release the tourism data this time. But we will continue to promote tourism; the numbers and our success ratio will remain with us.”
According to KNS, CM Omar further said, “Our main tourism markets are Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. We are trying our best to revive traffic from these states. I cannot declare we have fully succeeded, but it feels like tourism has gradually revived since the snowfall started.”
Earlier this week, Syed Qamar Sajad, Director of Tourism for Kashmir speaking with Kashmir News Service (KNS) highlighted an encouraging trend. “Tourism recovery is progressing at an encouraging pace, with a steadily increasing influx of visitors from across the country,” he stated.
He pointed to the Gulmarg Gondola as a key barometer, reporting exceptional footfall. Visitor numbers in early January nearly matched those of the same period last year a promising indicator for the sector’s revival in 2026.
“The Gondola has been a boon for Gulmarg, drawing tourists from far and wide. Even in the first five days of the new year, it has remained exceptionally busy, with queues of eager visitors,” Sajad added. The department has implemented comprehensive arrangements to ensure seamless operations and enhance the visitor experience.
Meanwhile, a senior Tourism Department official, speaking to KNS, confirmed the resurgence, calling it a positive sign for the local economy. “Winter tourism has seen a remarkable revival. Gulmarg continues to be the winter games capital of the country, with hotel occupancy almost touching 100 percent,” the official said.
According to official figures, Kashmir welcomed over 10.47 lakh domestic tourists and 21,361 foreign tourists in 2025, bringing the total footfall to approximately 10.68 lakh visitors.
To enhance the visitor experience, the government has been organising food festivals that showcase local cuisine alongside dishes from other Indian states and international flavours, in addition to a roster of winter sports events, the official added. (KNS)
