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Kashmir tourism rebounds after Pahalgam attack, Gulmarg nears 100% hotel occupancy on New Year

Srinagar, Dec 30 : After months of uncertainty triggered by the April terror attack in Pahalgam, tourism in Kashmir has made a strong comeback, with major winter destinations witnessing near-full hotel occupancy ahead of New Year celebrations.

Favourable weather forecasts, including predictions of fresh snowfall around New Year, have led to a sharp rise in tourist arrivals from across the country, bringing much-needed relief to an industry that had suffered heavy losses and widespread unemployment in the aftermath of the attack.

Gulmarg, Kashmir’s premier ski destination, is witnessing almost 100 percent occupancy, with hotels and guest houses fully booked for the festive period. Pahalgam, another major tourist hub, has also recorded a significant surge, with hotel occupancy crossing 80 percent. Same is the case with Sonamarg.

Suhail Ahmad, a hotel manager in Gulmarg, said the revival marks a crucial turning point for the tourism sector.

“We suffered massive losses after April, but Christmas saw full occupancy and New Year bookings are also nearly 100 percent. Domestic tourists have shown renewed confidence in Kashmir,” he told

He added that many Indian travellers chose Kashmir over foreign destinations this festive season. “We expect winter tourism to perform better than in previous years,” Ahmad said.

A senior official from the Tourism Department also confirmed the resurgence, calling it a positive sign for the local economy. “Winter tourism has seen a remarkable revival. Gulmarg continues to be the winter games capital of the country, with occupancy almost touching 100 percent,” the official said.

According to official figures, Kashmir received over 10.47 lakh domestic tourists and 21,361 foreign tourists in 2025, taking the total tourist footfall to around 10.68 lakh visitors.

To enhance the visitor experience, the government has been organising food festivals featuring local cuisine alongside dishes from other Indian states and international flavours, in addition to winter sports events.

Tour operators say the improvement is clearly visible on the ground. “For the first time since April, we are receiving a good number of bookings,” said Tufail Ahmad, a tour operator. “Inquiries and arrivals are increasing and are expected to rise further in the coming days.”

The revival has also brought relief to those who depend on tourism for their daily livelihood. Ghulam Mohammad, a ponywalla in Gulmarg, said tourist activity has picked up significantly over the past week. “I now earn around Rs 1,500 per day,” he said.

Tourists visiting the Valley expressed confidence in Kashmir’s safety. Mahesh Gupta, a visitor from Gujarat, said he was excited to experience snowfall in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.

“We faced no difficulties. Kashmir is as safe as any other part of the country. One terror incident should not stop people from visiting this beautiful place,” he said, adding that he would be celebrating New Year in Gulmarg with his family.

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Jammu Ladakh vision

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