Many positive decisions led to rise in footfall of tourists, expect more such measures, say stakeholders
From 2021 to 2024, 7.49 crore tourists arrived in UT; Kashmir hosted 1 crore visitors
Srinagar, Apr 29 :
Post-Article 370 abrogation in 2019, more than 5000 new hotels have come up in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), J&K witnessed a footfall of 7,49,70,943 tourists from 2021 to 2024.
The Economic Survey recently tabled by the government has revealed that out of the 7.49 crore tourists, 6,49,77,187 visited Jammu while 99,93,756 visited the Kashmir during the period.
“To accommodate the rush of tourists across the region, around 5000 new hotels were built in J&K during the past five years as the business witnessed a rise due to the rising footfall of the guests,” said Javed Tenga, President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I).
He added that the tourism sector has witnessed a boom after 2020 and they are expecting more arrivals in the coming months and years.
The tour operators while talking to KNO, echoed the similar views and said that the decision taken by the government, especially the administration led by Lieutenant Governor brought a positive outcome on the ground with the rise in the tourist footfall.
“We are expecting that more such measures will be taken to increase the rush of the tourists and ensure a boom in the tourism sector further,” they said.
Pertinently, the Economic Survey stated that the Tourism Department’s extensive promotional campaigns, both within and outside J&K, have produced impressive results.
Participation in various national and international events and active digital and social media promotion has significantly increased tourist visits, it said.
The 3rd Tourism Working Meeting of the G20, held in Srinagar from May 22 to 24, 2023, brought J&K into the global spotlight, marking a crucial moment for its tourism sector.
The survey also highlighted that the highest-ever number of yatris in the last 10 years was recorded for the annual Amarnath Yatra in 2024. “Off-beat tourist destinations and Border Area Tourist Destinations are also witnessing huge footfall. Tourism is directly/indirectly creating employment opportunities for the locals,” it said—(KNO)