J & K Sees 15.3 Cr Tourists In A Decade: Report

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an unprecedented tourism surge, welcoming over 15.3 crore visitors in the past decade, a parliamentary report presented in the Rajya Sabha has revealed.

The report underscores a significant post-pandemic rebound, with annual tourist arrivals hitting record highs in 2023 and 2024. It also highlights key government initiatives, including homestay policies, adventure tourism, and skill development programs, that have fueled the region's tourism and handicrafts boom. The parliamentary panel has now urged the administration to craft a long-term roadmap to establish J&K as a premier global tourist destination.

The report provides a year-wise breakdown of tourist arrivals, comparing trends before and after August 5, 2019. Between 2015 and 2019, tourism saw fluctuations but remained on an upward trend, starting at 1.33 crore visits in 2015 and peaking at 1.69 crore in 2018 before dipping slightly to 1.62 crore in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in 2020, with only 0.35 crore tourists visiting.

A recovery began in 2021 with 1.13 crore visits, followed by a strong rebound in 2022 with 1.89 crore. The momentum continued in 2023 and 2024, with 2.12 crore and 2.36 crore visitors, respectively.

Key Developments in Tourism

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The report highlights the introduction of the Home Stay Policy 2022, which allows residential houses to be converted into homestays, providing an alternative source of income for local families. At present, 2,302 homestays and paying guest houses are registered across Jammu and Kashmir.

The government has also focused on skill development programs aimed at training locals in hospitality, guiding, and tourism management. Adventure tourism activities such as trekking, skiing, river rafting, and mountain biking have further boosted employment opportunities for local guides and operators.

Boost to Handicrafts & Exports

The region's handicrafts and handloom sector has also witnessed significant growth. According to the report, there are 4.22 lakh registered artisans and 7,535 cooperative societies contributing to the sector. Jammu and Kashmir was ranked as the number one Union Territory in India's export rankings for 2022. Srinagar earned global recognition as a World Crafts City and was included in UNESCO's Creative City Network for Crafts and Folk Arts. Handloom and handicraft exports have doubled between 2021-22 and 2023-24, while the government has introduced a Credit Card Scheme to support artisans and weavers.

Committee's Observations

The parliamentary committee expressed satisfaction over the surge in tourist arrivals and acknowledged the steps taken to boost tourism. It emphasized that the tourism and hospitality sector plays a crucial role in generating revenue, creating jobs, and supporting local businesses.

The committee recommended that the J&K administration develop a comprehensive roadmap to position the region as a world-class tourism destination, enhance visitor experiences, and ensure sustainable economic growth for the local population.

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