Srinagar, July 21: The Centre has informed the Parliament that Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a tourism wave like never before, with a record-breaking 2.35 crore domestic tourists visiting the region in 2024, the highest ever in its history.
The numbers were shared by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply to an unstarred question, raised by Member Parliament, Tejasvi Suryin the Lok Sabha on Monday.
The Minister revealed that domestic tourist numbers shot up tenfold — from 25.19 lakh in 2020 to 2.35 crore in 2024. Foreign tourist arrivals also surged, jumping from just 5,317 in 2020 to 65,452 in 2024. The Minister informed that under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, six major tourism projects worth 510.58 crore have been completed in J&K since 2016-17. These projects cover popular destinations such as Jammu, Srinagar, Pahalgam, Leh, Kargil, Anantnag, Pulwama, and Zanskar, Gulmarg, Baramullah, Kupwara. The minister has informed that the region now boasts better roads, modern tourist facilities, and enhanced connectivity, making travel smoother and more attractive for visitors.
“The big increase in tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir is seen as a sign of growing peace, better roads and facilities, and more confidence among both domestic and foreign travelers”. “This tourism growth is helping the local economy by creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and bringing new chances for people in the region”. (KINS)
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