Ladakh’s peak travel season fizzles out, focus on winter tourism now

With the peak tourist season in Ladakh nearly wiped out due to a series of setbacks, stakeholders in the region’s tourism industry are now pinning their hopes on the upcoming winter season. Many are urging the administration of the cold desert region to step in with support.Tour operators and hotel owners had anticipated a strong tourist influx this year. However, the season took a hit early on following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which sent shockwaves across the region. The incident prompted several foreign governments to issue advisories clubbing Ladakh under Jammu & Kashmir, discouraging travel to the area.

Ladakh, which typically draws thousands of foreign visitors annually, saw a significant drop in international tourist arrivals due to these advisories. The UT administration had appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene with countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom to clarify that Ladakh is a distinct Union Territory.

Just as tourism began to recover in June and July, severe monsoon-related disruptions — including heavy rains, floods, and landslides — in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh affected major access routes to Ladakh. These natural disasters led to several fatalities and cast a further shadow over tourism.

According to figures obtained by The Tribune, 74,783 tourists visited Ladakh in June, followed by 67,205 in July. The numbers dropped significantly in August to 44,838, and further in September to 34,053, bringing the total count for 2025 (till September) to 2.86 lakh.

Adding to the turmoil, violent protests broke out in September over demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Four locals died in police firing during the unrest, and noted educationist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA), prompting curfews and restrictions in the region. These developments further dented Ladakh’s image as a safe tourist destination.

Meanwhile, foreign tourist arrivals fell from 2,800 in April to 1,541 in May, before recovering to 7,376 in July and 7,888 in August. However, numbers dipped again in September to 4,501, bringing the total foreign footfall to 28,841 till September.

Rigzin Wangmo Lachic, President of the All Ladakh Hotel & Guest House Association (ALHGHA), said the region’s tourism sector has seen a 60% decline in tourist arrivals this year.

“Taxi drivers, hoteliers, and guest house owners had taken loans expecting a thriving season. Now, with such a steep drop in visitors, many are staring at financial distress. The last time we saw such an impact was during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Lachic.

She appealed to the government to increase the tourism promotion budget for Ladakh and help attract tourists during the winter season.

Despite the setbacks, the Ladakh administration is now preparing to boost winter tourism, which has grown in popularity among adventure enthusiasts in recent years.

Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta recently underlined his administration’s vision to transform Ladakh into a premier winter tourism and adventure sports hub. He emphasised the need for sustainable development, modern infrastructure, local talent promotion and inclusive growth, while preserving the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

The L-G added that promoting Ladakh as a year-round destination — with a special focus on winter sports and cultural tourism — would create employment, empower communities and drive economic growth, while safeguarding its pristine environment.

J & K