Mumbai, May 18: Despite last year’s terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir is witnessing a remarkable increase in tourist arrivals. Visitors are flocking to the valley to enjoy its pleasant weather, breathtaking natural beauty, and renowned hospitality. Tourists were seen relishing fresh apple juice while strolling through the lush apple orchards of Anantnag, soaking in the area’s stunning views.
Following the tragic incident last year, where 26 lives were lost due to an attack by terrorists based in Pakistan, there was a temporary decline in tourist numbers. However, tourists from various states across India are now returning to Kashmir in large numbers. This renewed influx has revitalized the valley’s vibrancy, with visitors flocking to popular destinations and enjoying Kashmir’s natural allure and serene atmosphere.
Many tourists expressed their satisfaction with the security arrangements and the warm hospitality of the locals. A tourist from Pune, Maharashtra, remarked, “I feel great being here. The temperature in Maharashtra is around 40 degrees, while here it hovers between 8 to 10 degrees. Kashmir truly feels like paradise. Everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.”
Another visitor shared, “The portrayal of the locals on television is completely different from reality. We have been here for two days, and we really appreciate the nature of the people. They are very helpful. Security personnel are present everywhere, and we have not felt any threat so far. I would definitely say that people should come here.”
Richa, another tourist, stated, “Kashmir is a place where people dream of visiting at least once in their lives. Everything here is wonderful.”
A tourist traveling with a group of ten said, “Everything is great here. The security is very tight, and we are very happy. After Anantnag, we will also visit Pahalgam.”
Since 2019, there has been a significant increase in tourist numbers in Jammu and Kashmir. From 2016 to 2018, 47.6 million tourists visited, while over 78.5 million are expected between 2023 and 2025.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also oversees the tourism department, shared detailed statistics on tourist numbers in the assembly earlier this year. According to government data, over 5.9 million tourists visited the Kashmir division from 2016 to 2018. This number surged to 24.2 million between 2023 and 2025, reflecting a significant boost in tourism post-2019.
However, the government noted a decline in tourist arrivals in 2025. Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the number of tourists dropped from over 9.8 million in 2024 to over 4.7 million in 2025.
In the Jammu region, tourist numbers increased from 41.6 million between 2016 and 2018 to 54.3 million from 2023 to 2025, primarily due to pilgrimage and religious tourism. The Vaishno Devi temple in Katra has been the leading destination for tourist arrivals. In 2023, 9 million pilgrims visited, increasing to over 9.5 million in 2024. So far this year, over 6.9 million pilgrims have visited the temple.
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