On April 22, terrorists killed 25 tourists and a local pony operator in Baisaran meadows, prompting a mass exodus from the valley. Fears rose after India carried out military action against Pakistan and tensions also affected hotel bookings.
“It is the first time such a rush has been witnessed this season after the attack upended the tourist cycle,” said a local tourism official, requesting anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media. “Pahalgam typically records low tourist arrivals in winter, but this year visitors are arriving in higher numbers, particularly from mainland India.”
Meanwhile, Kashmir received about 1.047 million domestic tourists in 2025, down from nearly 2.6 million in 2024, though arrivals are now showing signs of recovery.
“Tourist numbers are picking up, but shorter visits mean limited spending and fewer hotel bookings,” said a tour operator in Pahalgam.
Stakeholders say a full recovery will take time, but the renewed flow of visitors has eased an economy dependent on tourism.
Irshad Ahmad, an ATV operator, told BusinessLine that higher tourist foot traffic has revived daily earnings and restored confidence among local operators after months of low business.
“We are looking forward to a sustained flow of tourists in the coming weeks so that businesses can recover some of the losses suffered over the past months,” he said.
“Kashmir is truly heaven on earth — safe, peaceful and beautiful,” said Rahul Gupta, a tourist from Maharashtra. “People should visit to experience its landscapes, hospitality and unique culture, which cannot be fully captured in pictures or videos.”
Tata’s Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. and Cemtac Cements are developing a 64-key Gateway hotel in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which will be IHCL’s seventh property in the state.
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