The Kashmir tourism revival is underway just two months after a deadly attack near Pahalgam threatened to decimate the region’s critical travel sector. As shikaras once again glide across Srinagar’s Dal Lake and new visitors arrive via train and plane, local communities dependent on tourism are cautiously hopeful that better days are returning.
From Tragedy to Turnaround
On 22 April 2025, militants killed 26 visitors at a beauty spot near Pahalgam, sparking a nationwide panic and leading to the closure of 48 tourist destinations. Nearly two-thirds remain shuttered. The aftermath saw mass tourist cancellations and rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called it a disaster, noting that “for all intents and purposes, we were almost at war.” But he remains hopeful: “At least it’s a beginning, and that’s what helps.”
Visitors Return Despite Fear
Despite safety concerns, Indian tourists like Shabana Awwal from Rajasthan and Deepti Gandhi from Jammu chose to keep their travel plans. “We weren’t really afraid,” Awwal says, filming her children on water bikes. “The media exaggerated the danger.”
Gandhi agrees: “We come here every year. Why break the tradition now?”
The optimism is echoed by a recent influx of visitors, including a group of Polish tourists and families from Delhi. Tour operator Ravi Gosain, who led a fact-finding mission, confirmed full flights and rising hotel bookings. “The national sentiment is strong: this attack won’t derail our tourism.”
Economic Lifeline at Stake
Tourism supports thousands of livelihoods in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Haji Wali Mohammad Bhat, president of the shikara owners’ association, “Tourists are our life. Tourism is our lifeline.”
Last year, 23.6 million tourists visited the region. The 2025 peak season may be lost, but with the return of pilgrims and leisure travelers, businesses hope for a late recovery.
The New Train Making It Possible
A game-changer in the Kashmir tourism revival has been the recently launched train linking Srinagar to Katra in Jammu. It’s already operating at full capacity, aided by headlines praising its passage over the world’s highest single-arch railway bridge.
Pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine—9.48 million last year—are now extending their journeys to Srinagar. Delhi-based couple Ghanshyam Bharadwaj and Mamata Sharma were among the early riders. “It took us just three hours. This is my country; there’s nothing to fear,” Bharadwaj said.
Local Resilience and Forward Momentum
Tour operators like Gosain emphasize the resilience of Kashmiris and the hospitality they offer: “Locals are welcoming, hotels are ready, flights are full.”
The sentiment is clear: while tragedy struck, the spirit of Kashmir endures. Visitors are not just returning—they’re spreading the word that the valley remains one of India’s most breathtaking destinations.
As Abdullah puts it, “Those coming for a few hours—let’s help them stay for a few days. That’s how we rebuild.”
