Government Of India Launches New Campaigns For Revival Of Kashmir Tourism It Suffers More Than Seventy Percent Decline After The Incident In Pahalgam

Published on September 14, 2025

Tourism successful Kashmir was severely deed arsenic a consequence of a mishap that happened successful Pahalgam, wherever 26 guiltless civilians were killed. The unfortunate arena took spot erstwhile nan authorities was astir to acquisition its highest tourism season, and it led to a important downturn successful nan number of visitors. Official figures bespeak that tourer arrivals successful 2025 person fallen by 72% from nan corresponding period successful 2024, and nan assemblage has registered nonstop losses of Rs 30,000–35,000 crore. Nearly 90,000 individuals employed successful tourism sectors person been rendered jobless, and manufacture experts foretell that betterment whitethorn beryllium a agelong clip coming.

Immediate Impact connected Bookings and Employment successful nan Tourism Sector

The aftermath of nan Pahalgam incident led to an contiguous activity of cancellations successful nan tourism sector. Within conscionable a week, 20 lakh bookings for stays done June 2025 were canceled crossed nan Kashmir Valley, forcing hotels and different accommodation providers to refund advance payments. Travel agencies besides reported up to 90% cancellations for trips planned for the coming months, while surveys indicated that 92% of families chose to scrap their Kashmir recreation plans owed to concerns complete safety.

Moreover, complete half of nan Valley’s resorts, arsenic good arsenic 48 tourism sites and trekking trails, were temporarily closed, further deepening nan effect connected nan tourism ecosystem. Iconic locations specified arsenic Dal Lake, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam person been near mostly deserted, devastating nan section hospitality industry.

Struggling Livelihoods and Rising Economic Losses

The incident has had a profound effect connected nan full tourism ecosystem successful Kashmir. From shikara operators to houseboat owners, taxi drivers, and ponywallas, those who dangle connected tourism for their livelihoods person recovered themselves without work. Manzoor Pakhtoon, Secretary of nan Kashmir Tourism Association, highlighted that 90% of staff person been laid disconnected by businesses incapable to spend operating expenses. Once fully-booked hotels now guidelines empty, and small traders and artisans person been forced to unopen down their operations owed to nan crisp diminution successful ft traffic.

The handicraft sector, intimately tied to nan tourism industry, has besides seen drastic losses. Products for illustration Kashmiri shawls, carpets, and paper-mâché goods person seen demand plummet by 95%. This has led to estimated losses of Rs 8,000–12,000 crore successful 2025, impacting much than 4 lakh artisans. Pakhtoon expressed concern, stating that nan business has go truthful dire that many artisans and small traders are struggling to meet their financial obligations.

Calls for Government Support and Relief

Tourism stakeholders are calling for immediate authorities intervention successful nan shape of a financial alleviation package, including loan waivers, restructuring, and nonstop support for those affected. Pakhtoon emphasized that without government support, nan tourism industry cannot survive, arsenic betterment from specified incidents always takes time. The financial strain connected tourism businesses, coupled pinch nan deficiency of tourists, has made it difficult for businesses to survive successful nan existent environment.

Efforts to Restore Trust and Rebuild Kashmir’s Image

In an effort to rebuild tourist confidence, some nan Central Government and Jammu and Kashmir government are launching promotional campaigns aimed astatine showcasing Kashmir’s beauty and safety. Campaigns specified arsenic “Dekho Apna Desh” and “Chalo India” are aimed astatine rebuilding Kashmir’s image arsenic a safe and attractive recreation destination.

Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, on pinch erstwhile Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, has visited multiple states to beforehand Kashmir successful collaboration pinch nan Union Tourism Ministry. The authorities is moving to guarantee visitors that nan situation has stabilized and that nan region remains a safe and welcoming destination for visitors.

The Winter Season arsenic a Key Opportunity for Recovery

Tourism stakeholders are hopeful that nan winter play of 2025 will people nan beginning of recovery for Kashmir’s tourism industry. The region, known for its snow-capped mountains, ski resorts, and winter festivals, is simply a celebrated winter tourism destination. The upcoming wintertime attractions, including skiing and snowboarding, are expected to pull some domestic and international visitors, offering nan region a chance to revive tourism and regain mislaid revenue.

Long-Term Impact connected Kashmir’s Tourism and Cultural Heritage

Beyond short-term recovery, nan semipermanent early of Kashmir’s tourism manufacture relies connected preserving its taste heritage and improving tourism infrastructure. Kashmir is location to immoderate of nan most unsocial earthy landscapes and cultural treasures successful India, and ensuring nan sustainable development of tourism successful nan region will beryllium cardinal to its early growth.

Integrating information measures, improving infrastructure, and promoting section crafts and heritage sites will thief successful rebuilding nan spot of some domestic and world tourists. Additionally, eco-tourism and adventure tourism tin proceed to play a awesome domiciled successful revitalizing nan sector, pinch Kashmir’s unsocial landscapes and heritage appealing to a world audience.

The Path to Recovery for Kashmir’s Tourism

The Pahalgam calamity of April 2025 has deed Kashmir’s tourer manufacture hard, yet resilience and authorities patronage clasp committedness of a semipermanent comeback. With nan onset of nan wintertime season, Kashmir’s tourism manufacture is apt to commencement reviving gradually, particularly pinch an summation successful visitors attracted by nan wintertime tourism accommodation successful nan state. Through nan enhancement of security, preservation of taste heritage, and enhancement of tourism infrastructure, Kashmir will stay 1 of India’s astir celebrated tourer destinations. The early of Kashmir’s tourism is to guarantee that it offers secure, authentic, and sustainable tourism, and pinch ongoing authorities action and organization involvement, nan assemblage tin reclaim its position arsenic a apical world tourism destination.