Srinagar, Mar 04: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that over 4.40 crore tourists, including 1.20 lakh foreigners, visited the UT in the past two years. The CM highlighted the significant role of the tourism sector in generating employment and boosting the local economy.
Responding to a question raised by National Conference member Mubarak Gul, the Chief minister Abdullah, who also oversees the tourism department, revealed that 2.11 crore tourists visited the J&K in 2023, while 2.35 crore visited in 2024. Of these, 55,337 foreign tourists arrived in 2023 and 65,452 in 2024, reflecting an increase in international visitors.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to promote tourism, Abdullah stated that Rs 35.08 crore had been allocated for the promotion and advertisement of the sector in the last two financial years. Of this, Rs 12.54 crore was spent in the fiscal year 2023-24, while Rs 22.54 crore was allocated for the current fiscal year 2024-25.
The Chief Minister noted the potential of the tourism industry to generate extensive employment opportunities for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. While acknowledging the sector’s vital role in providing jobs, he also pointed out that no formal survey has been conducted to determine the exact number of people employed in the tourism industry.
Abdullah also informed the House that the government has outsourced 59 tourism department assets over the past two years to enhance the sector’s efficiency and outreach.
With such a strong influx of tourists and ongoing promotional efforts, the Chief Minister stressed that tourism remains one of the most promising sectors for economic growth and employment in the region.
