Several steps taken to promote tourists spots of J&K; UT records 8.6 Cr visitors since 2020
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Government of India Monday informed Lok Sabha that no such assessment has been made by the Ministry of Tourism on economic impact on local tourism-dependent stakeholders in Jammu & Kashmir following attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22.
However, several steps have been taken to promote tourism destinations and products of India including Jammu and Kashmir in domestic and international markets informed the Ministry of Tourism.
Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi raised several questions in Lok Sabha.
Owaisi had asked whether the Government is aware of the decline in tourist footfall and business losses in Jammu & Kashmir during the peak tourist season following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
To which the data on tourists who visited to Jammu and Kashmir from year 2020 till June 2025 were put forth.
The data on Domestic and foreign tourist visits is provided by the State Tourism Department. Based on the latest information received from the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, the number of Domestic and Foreign Tourist Visits in Jammu and Kashmir from the year 2020 to 2025 June stands at 96, 12, 234 with 95,92,664 direct tourist visit and 19,570 foreign tourists visits.
The data includes 25,19,524 domestic tourist visits (DTVs) and 5, 317 foreign tourist visits (FTVs) in 2020; 1,13,14,920 domestic tourist visits, 1,650 in foreign tourist visits in 2021; 1,84,99,332domestic tourist visits, 19,985 in foreign tourist visits in 2022; 2,06,79,336 domestic tourist visits, 55,337 foreign tourist visits in 2023 and 95,92,664 domestic tourist visits and 19,570 foreign tourists visits in 2025 till June.
As per the data Jammu and Kashmir recorded 8,60,30,405 domestic tourists and 1,67,311 foreign tourists from January 2020 till June 20205.
Owaisi had further asked whether any assessment had been made by the Government on the economic impact on local tourism-dependent stakeholders; and
It was furhter informed that the Ministry of Tourism has made no such assessment on economic impact on local tourism-dependent stakeholders in Jammu & Kashmir.
On being asked the details of the specific measures taken/being taken by the Government to restore tourist confidence and promote tourism in the region in the aftermath of the said incident?
The Minister of Tourism informed that it has taken several steps/initiatives to promote tourism sector in the country, including Jammu and Kashmir.
The Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country.
Ministry of Tourism through its various campaigns and events promotes various tourism destinations and products of India in domestic and international markets. Some of the initiatives are Dekho Apna Desh campaign, Chalo India campaign, International Tourism Mart, Bharat Parv.
The Incredible India Content Hub was launched which is a comprehensive digital repository, featuring a rich collection of high-quality images, films, brochures, and newsletters related to tourism in India. Promotions are also carried out through the website – www.incredibleindia.org and social media handles of the Ministry.
Thematic tourism like wellness tourism, culinary tourism, rural, ecotourism, etc. amongst other niche subjects are promoted so as to expand the scope of tourism into other sectors as well.
Enhance the overall quality and visitor experience through initiatives focused on capacity building, skill development such as ‘Capacity Building for Service Providers’, ‘Incredible India Tourist Facilitator’ (IITF), ‘Paryatan Mitra’ and ‘Paryatan Didi’.
