Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir is thriving, attracting domestic and foreign visitors to the Union Territory, making it one of the top destinations in the country.
According to the tourism department secretary Abid Rashid Shah, “Year on year and month on month, we have received more tourists this year compared to previous year. We are ensuring that all domestic and international tourists have a memorable stay in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Shah also emphasized that all stakeholders in the tourism industry have a responsibility to make Jammu and Kashmir a warm and hospitable destination for visitors.
In 2022, Jammu and Kashmir welcomed 1.88 crore tourists, an impressive number by any measure. However, the administration expects this figure to exceed the two-crore mark this year.
Fazlul Haseeb, the Tourism Director, noted that the number of arrivals was already high even before the regular tourism season began in the valley. He said, “Every single month, the tourist numbers are increasing. It’s almost six lahks in the first four months…it’s breaching records.”
Once popular mainly with honeymooners, Kashmir is now attracting even long-married couples who come to celebrate their anniversaries.
Govind from Pune, who was celebrating his 24th anniversary with his wife Kavita Katay, remarked, “It was my plan to celebrate our 24th marriage anniversary in Kashmir. The climate is good here. My friends had been here and they suggested I visit Kashmir. The situation is fine here, not like before.”
Vidyadhar from Karnataka said, “We have been here for the last four days. The situation is absolutely normal here. I also feel Kashmir is a safe place for travellers and there are a lot of tourists here. The people, and their hospitality, are amazing.”
For Vishwanath, another tourist from Karnataka, the appeal of Kashmir was simply escaping the scorching heat of the plains and enjoying the mist-shrouded mountains. “Back where I come from, the temperature is hovering at 40 to 45 degree Celsius. Here it is three to 10 degree Celsius. We felt very good…those who have not visited Kashmir, we suggest they should,” he said.
Abhilasha from Nagpur has been visiting Kashmir once every 10 years and never tires of its beauty and hospitality.
“This is my third trip to Kashmir. My first visit was in 2004 and then again in 2013. Today, I am here with my whole family. Kashmir is really a beautiful place, people are very nice. That is the reason we visited so many times here,” she said.
