Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir attracts tourists for its diverse landscape, cultures and weather as well as for adventure activities in the Himalayas such as skiing, mountaineering, hiking, trekking and camping. Some major tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir are Srinagar, with its renowned Dal Lake and Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Bhaderwah, Devigol Bunjwah, Patnitop, Sonamarg and Jammu. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath which has had a significant impact on the state's economy.

Kashmir Valley is one of the top tourist destinations of India. Gulmarg, one of the most popular ski resort destinations in India, is also home to the world's highest green golf course. Tourism has declined in the past thirty years.

Jammu and Kashmir also has flower gardens and apple orchards. It also attracts tourists for its handicrafts and the Kashmiri shawls.

Following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has seen a sharp revival in tourism, driven by improved security and infrastructure development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. As per data presented in the Lok Sabha on 21 July 2025, domestic tourist visits rose from 25.19 lakh in 2020 to over 2.35 crore in 2024. International arrivals also rebounded from 1,650 in 2021 to 65,452 in 2024, reflecting renewed global confidence. The surge in tourist footfall highlights the region’s growing stability and reintegration into India's mainstream tourism map.

During January–June 2025, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed over 95 lakh domestic tourist visits (DTVs) and 19,570 foreign tourist visits (FTVs), according to data shared by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The figures reflect sustained tourist interest despite isolated security incidents.

While no formal economic impact assessment was conducted following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, the steady growth in tourism numbers—from 25 lakh DTVs in 2020 to over 2.35 crore in 2024—indicates a broader return to normalcy and confidence in the region’s safety and infrastructure. The Ministry of Tourism continues to promote Jammu and Kashmir as a priority destination under various central schemes and campaigns.

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