The Central Government on Monday said tourist numbers in Jammu and Kashmir have come down significantly post the Pahalgam attack. However, there is no assessment that would reflect the impact of this trend on the region's tourism-dependent economy and stakeholders.
While responding to a query in the Lok Sabha, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Shekhawat said that tourism data is provided by the Tourism Department of Jammu and Kashmir and that the ministry also relies on their figures for evaluation.
He said, “This year’s trajectory post-Pahalgam attack has shown a drastic decline, while the region witnessed a surge in the past five years.”
He mentioned the data provided by the Tourism Department in support of his claims, saying 2.35 crore domestic tourists and 65,452 foreign tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2024.
“In the first six months of 2025, the region received 95.9 lakh domestic tourists and 19,570 foreign tourists,” he added. He said the ministry provides financial assistance to state and Union Territory administrations for the development of tourism infrastructure through schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive), and Assistance to Central Agencies.
The Union Government is also promoting thematic tourism, including wellness, culinary, rural, and eco-tourism across India to boost travel and encourage the local population to explore the country, he said.
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