Kashmir’s Tourism Surge

After a prolonged hiatus, Kashmir is once again witnessing a remarkable surge in international tourist arrivals. From January 1 to June 19 this year, over 15,000 foreign tourists have flocked to the Valley. The surge in international tourists is a big leap from the figures of the previous year when only 4,028 foreign visitors arrived during the same period. The increase in numbers is being hailed as a positive sign of Kashmir’s resurgence in the global tourism map. Local administration has been working tirelessly to revive the tourism industry after a challenging three-decade long period of uncertainty. This has given a boost to tourism sector and local businesses. The renewed interest in Kashmir as a travel destination is expected to have a positive ripple effect on various industries, including hospitality, transportation, and handicrafts. As the year progresses, authorities are optimistic that the numbers will continue to climb, and Kashmir will once again reclaim its position as one of the prominent destinations for holiday makers on the global travel map. Last year, J&K witnessed a record over one crore tourists, contributing 7 percent to its GDP. To sustain this growth, the government has identified 300 new destinations for promotion, emphasizing green tourism, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and the active participation of local communities. Such initiatives will not only enhance tourism but also contribute to the region’s overall development. The rise in the number of movies filmed in J&K further reveals the region’s increasing popularity and the positive impact it has on the local economy and people’s lives. Recently, the LG Sinha also set an ambitious goal of hosting two crore tourists in the UT in 2023. But the administration needs to focus on building and upgrading the infrastructure before bringing more tourists to the region. This includes improving transportation infrastructure, providing quality accommodation, ensuring basic amenities, and addressing security concerns. Only then can the UT truly capitalize on its potential as a tourism destination. Over the last three years, Kashmir Valley has been largely peaceful, paving the way for the spurt in tourism. But tourism shouldn’t be the only indicator of peace and the government knows it very well. So, we need more steps to ensure the gains of the past three years are consolidated and enjoyed by all people. For example, it is about time that the central government takes steps to hold Assembly polls in the union territory.