Once hailed as “Paradise on Earth,” Kashmir’s travel scene collapsed after the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, when quiet mountain paths suddenly echoed with sirens instead of songbirds. The attack killed 25 tourists and one local, sparking anger and sorrow that swept through the Union Territory; shops rolled down their shutters, and people poured into the streets in protest. Almost 48 major tourist spots shut down after security alerts spiked, leaving quiet streets and shuttered ticket booths behind. Hotels, shikaras, and taxis sat motionless, echoing the hush that gripped a community once kept alive by the steady pulse of tourism. Not long before this blow, the region had seen visitor numbers climb at a remarkable pace. In 2024, over 3.5 million travellers wandered through Kashmir’s mountain valleys, a clear sign the region had bounced back from its pandemic slump. From the Khelo India Winter Games in snowy Gulmarg to the bright reopening of Srinagar’s Tulip and Chrysanthemum Gardens, and the November 2025 Sunday Marathon—set off by the Lieutenant Governor with the Chief Minister and film stars cheering—each event drew eyes from across India and beyond, renewing Kashmir’s timeless pull.

By June 2025, the government announced sixteen tourist spots would reopen, a careful but hopeful stride toward revival. Still, favorite getaways like Yousmarg, Dodhpathri, and Tosa Maidan stay shut, leaving hotel owners, pony riders, drivers, and small shopkeepers—many behind on their loans—waiting with doors half open and hope wearing thin.
In a recent J&K Assembly session, MLA Saifuddin Bhat called for a clear plan to reopen and speed up infrastructure investment, stressing the urgent need for economic relief in tourism-dependent communities; this new phase of Kashmir’s tourism revival now leans toward sustainability and inclusivity, like a fresh trail being carved through green hills. The government, local communities, and private partners are working to broaden tourism options, strengthen infrastructure that can weather storms, and make each visit more memorable. As places like Gurez, Bangus, and Doodhpathri draw more travellers, tourism is spreading beyond the usual hubs and shining a light on the valley’s wide sweep of nature and culture; the fresh surge hums with promise for local economies. It brings an entire ecosystem back to life—thousands of people earning again, from hotel owners and shikara pilots gliding over the lake to guides, artisans, and drivers weaving through the busy streets.
As winter draws near, a fresh wave of optimism takes hold, with hopes resting on sports tourism, lively festivals, and heritage events ready to fill the valley’s lanes with visitors. Kashmir’s promise runs deeper than its snow-covered peaks—it thrives in its culture and the thrill of its adventures. Thrill-seekers chase the rush of skiing, trekking, and rafting; history lovers wander through Mughal gardens and quiet Sufi shrines; while food and craft enthusiasts savor rich curries and admire delicate Pashmina shawls or brightly painted paper-mâché designs. All these experiences come together like threads in a bright Kashmiri shawl, celebrating the region’s identity and quiet strength, while sustainable tourism now sits at the center of its policy vision. Keeping Kashmir’s fragile ecosystems safe means finding the right balance—reviving the economy while caring for the land and making sure every community has a voice, from orchard workers to mountain guides. When local people join in eco-tourism, homestays, and mindful hospitality, progress feels fair and communities stay connected.
In Kashmir, the renewed flow of visitors is more than money returning—it’s the scent of chai drifting through open doors, a quiet sign of resilience, change, and hope. With stronger security, new roads winding through the hills, lively cultural festivals, and greener practices, the valley is slowly finding its way back onto the world’s tourism map. Fresh energy ripples across Kashmir’s mountains and lakes, echoing the steady spirit of its people as they shape a peaceful, thriving future. Its growing tourism story weaves old customs with new ideas, the scent of pine with the hum of city markets, revealing a place where beauty holds fast and hope quietly lasts.