J & K Drew 1.61 Crore Tourists Despite Pahalgam Attack, Floods: LG Sinha

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Jammu- Jammu and Kashmir recorded 1.61 crore tourist visits in 2025 up to November, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday, commending government efforts to revive tourism after the Pahalgam terror attack in April and floods in August-September.

He said Jammu and Kashmir is among the fastest-growing regions in the country, with its economy estimated to grow by 11 per cent at current prices, driven by sustained government initiatives and strategic policy interventions.

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Addressing the main Republic Day function here, the L-G said tourism sector occupies a pivotal position in the economy of the Union territory and was granted the status of an industry in 2020 to attract greater investment.

“Known as the 'Paradise on Earth', Jammu and Kashmir recorded 1.61 crore tourist visits in 2025 up to November. While this figure is lower than last year's 2.36 crore visits (a 32 per cent decline), considering the adverse impact of the Pahalgam incident in April and subsequent floods, sustained and focused efforts of the government have yielded encouraging and resilient outcomes,” Sinha said.

He said the government is making sustained efforts to develop world-class tourist destinations, with financial support from the Union tourism ministry and external funding agencies.

“With a vision to explore and unlock new tourism potential, nine new tourist destinations have been identified, and projects are being prepared to develop these sites in accordance with international standards,” Sinha said.

He said the Kashmir Marathon is being developed as a flagship initiative for sports tourism and destination branding, projecting Kashmir as a global hub for sports and wellness tourism.

“The participation of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah further reinforced confidence, unity, and projected Kashmir's image as a safe, open, and welcoming destination. The maiden edition of the Jammu Marathon has been formally launched and is scheduled for March,” the L-G said.

He said Jammu and Kashmir's economy is estimated to register a growth rate of 11 percent at current prices.“The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the Union territory is estimated at Rs 2,62,458 crore for 2024-25, up from Rs 2,36,059 crore in 2023-24. This positive trajectory underscores the effectiveness of ongoing economic development strategies, infrastructure expansion, and business-friendly policies,” he said.

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