Resumption of tourism in Kashmir signals renewed confidence, says Shekhawat

Over two months after a major terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people and dealt a severe blow to Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday said tourism in the Union Territory is witnessing a strong revival.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, where a meeting of Tourism Secretaries from various States and Union Territories is currently underway, Shekhawat acknowledged that the Pahalgam incident had temporarily halted tourist activity in the region.

“It is now evident that tourism has been reborn and is coming back to life,” the minister said.

He appreciated the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir government and noted that the Centre’s continuous support—through ministerial visits, delegations, and conferences—is part of a confidence-building exercise that is yielding positive results.

“In the near future, tourism in Kashmir will return to its previous levels,” he asserted.

Shekhawat recalled his visit to Kashmir in June, during which he toured significant parts of the Valley. “I tried to convey the message that Kashmir is safe. We must move forward and revive Kashmir’s tourism, which has been steadily growing over the past three years,” he said.

Speaking about the ongoing tourism conference in Srinagar, the minister said tourism secretaries from across the country are participating in the event. “The purpose is two-fold. First, these secretaries should return to their respective states with the message that Kashmir is safe, helping to rebuild domestic tourism through this confidence-building initiative,” he said.

Secondly, he highlighted the Centre’s ambitious plan to develop at least 50 iconic, globally competitive tourist destinations across India.

“The Prime Minister envisions creating world-class destinations that offer unparalleled tourist experiences. To achieve this, we must collaborate, exchange ideas and think innovatively,” Shekhawat emphasised.

He added that enhancing the end-to-end experience of tourists should remain the central focus. “This two-day conference in Srinagar is aimed at fostering these discussions,” he said.

When asked about the inconvenience faced by tourists on highways due to the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, Shekhawat said both the pilgrimage and tourism have coexisted in the region for years and will continue to do so.

“To improve this further, the government has significantly invested in infrastructure development. The construction of highways, new rail tracks, and other projects over the past few years will gradually ease these issues,” he added.

J & K