Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu, (DD): Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an unprecedented surge in tourism, with 4.48 crore tourists, including 1.20 lakh foreign visitors, arriving in the region over the past two years, the government informed the Legislative Assembly today.
In response to a query from MLA Eidgah, Mubarak Gul, Minister in-charge Tourism, Omar Abdullah, stated that 2.12 crore tourists visited J&K in 2023, while the number rose to 2.36 crore in 2024. The influx of foreign tourists also saw an increase, with 55,337 visiting in 2023 and 65,452 in 2024. Meanwhile, domestic tourist arrivals stood at 2.11 crore in 2023 and 2.35 crore in 2024, marking a steady growth in the sector.
To sustain and boost tourism, the government disclosed that Rs 35.08 crore had been spent on promotional activities, advertising, and related initiatives over the past two financial years. Of this, Rs 14.14 crore was utilized in 2023-24, while Rs 20.94 crore was allocated in 2024-25, reflecting the administration’s focus on branding J&K as a prime travel destination.
The minister further informed the House that 59 assets of the Tourism Department had been outsourced in the last two years. This move aims to enhance tourism infrastructure, improve services, and attract private investment to modernize facilities across key tourist locations.
The surge in tourism has been attributed to improved infrastructure, better connectivity, and various promotional campaigns by the government. Additionally, the revival of adventure tourism, pilgrimage tourism, and eco-tourism, along with high-profile events and festivals, has played a crucial role in drawing visitors.
With tourism being a key economic driver for Jammu and Kashmir, the government emphasized its commitment to sustaining this momentum through further investment in infrastructure, hospitality, and safety measures to ensure an enriched experience for visitors.(DD)