The upcoming 2026 Khelo India Winter Games has boosted the optimism of the tourism industry in the Kashmir Valley, with strong participation expected from states and union territories across the country.
According to administrative officials, tourism in Kashmir is expected to witness a massive rush due to the central government’s push to link sports with tourism under the ‘Khelo Bharat Niti’.
The forthcoming snow events of the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games will be held in Gulmarg from February 23 to 26, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Officials from the tourism department said there is a noticeable increase in tourist arrivals ahead of the games, with hotels and guest houses reporting brisk bookings.
"Tourist inflow has picked up significantly after the New Year and in the run-up to the Winter Games,” an official said, adding that final figures for the first quarter would be available after March 31.
Other officials said that Kashmir witnessed a sharp dip in tourist arrivals in 2025 following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The valley saw a nearly 55 per cent dip in tourism in 2025 compared to this year.
"This year, however, arrivals have already surpassed last year’s numbers, even before the end of the first quarter,” he said.
This year, Gulmarg will host four medal events – ski mountaineering, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing (cross-country) and snowboarding. India’s top skiers, including Winter Olympians, are expected to participate.
The journey of the Winter Games in Gulmarg since their inception in 2020 reflects growing participation and competitiveness.
The inaugural edition saw 1,123 athletes compete across 13 disciplines, with J&K leading the medal tally. Participation rose to 1,208 athletes in 2021, when the host Union Territory secured 18 gold medals.
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