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J&K Records 13 Crore Tourist Visits in Decade-Long Tourism Boom

  • Aatif Qayoom
  • Comments 0
  • 10 May 2026

Improved Infrastructure, Connectivity Fuel Tourism Growth: Official

Srinagar, May 10: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded nearly 13 crore tourist visits between 2016 and 2025, reflecting massive growth in the tourism sector and strengthening the Union Territory’s position as one of India’s top travel destinations.

 

According to official tourism statistics, J&K received around 12.99 lakh tourists in 2016. The number increased to 23.8 lakh in 2017 before witnessing a sharp rise to nearly 1.60 crore in 2018. Tourist arrivals remained high in 2019 as well, with nearly 1.62 crore visitors recorded during the year.

 

Tourism activity suffered during 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, with arrivals dropping to nearly 25.2 lakh tourists. However, the sector recovered strongly in the following years.

 

Official figures show that J&K recorded around 1.13 crore tourist arrivals in 2021. The number further increased to nearly 1.85 crore in 2022 and crossed 2.07 crore in 2023. The tourism sector reached its highest ever level in 2024 when nearly 2.35 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir, making it the biggest tourism year in the region’s history.

 

During 2025, tourist arrivals slightly declined compared to the previous year but still remained impressive at nearly 1.77 crore visitors. Officials said the figures clearly show sustained tourism growth across the Union Territory.

 

Statistics further reveal that between 2021 and 2025 alone, J&K received nearly 9.19 crore tourists. Officials attributed the tourism boom to improved road connectivity, better air services, upgraded infrastructure, and aggressive tourism promotion campaigns across the country and abroad.

 

Foreign tourist arrivals also showed steady improvement. During 2025, J&K received nearly 36,410 international tourists. Visitors from Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Singapore, Malaysia, and Mexico were among the major contributors to international tourism in the region.

 

Senior Tourism official said destinations including Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, and Patnitop continued to attract heavy tourist footfall throughout the year. Adventure tourism activities such as skiing, trekking, river rafting, and mountain tourism also witnessed significant growth.

 

Official said the government has improved tourism infrastructure over the years through better highways, airport facilities, hotels, and transport services. Local traders and tourism stakeholders said the rise in tourist arrivals has positively impacted businesses linked with hospitality, transport, handicrafts, restaurants, and local markets.

 

Hotel owners, taxi operators, shikara owners, and small traders reported strong business activity during peak tourism months. At the same time, environmental experts stressed the need for sustainable tourism policies to protect tourist destinations from pollution and overcrowding.

Authorities said efforts are now being made to promote lesser known destinations and expand eco tourism, border tourism, and rural tourism across Jammu and Kashmir. With nearly 13 crore tourist visits recorded in ten years, the tourism sector continues to remain one of the strongest pillars of J&K’s economy.

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