SRINAGAR: Kashmir Valley known as tourist paradise has received 80 per cent fewer tourists compared to Jammu over the past four years, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25.
The survey reveals that in 2021, Jammu recorded a tourist footfall of 1,06,50,757, while Kashmir saw only 6,65,777 arrivals during the same year. In total, 1,13,16,534 tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2021.
The survey further highlights that, in the subsequent years—2022, 2023, and 2024—Kashmir consistently recorded 80 per cent fewer tourists compared to Jammu.
In 2022, Jammu saw 1,62,10,875 tourist arrivals, while Kashmir recorded 26,73,442 visitors, bringing the total for J&K to 1,88,84,317.
In 2023, Jammu’s tourist footfall rose to 1,80,24,176, while Kashmir received 31,55,835 tourists, resulting in a total of 2,11,80,011 visitors across the Union Territory.
In 2024, 2,00,91,379 tourists visited Jammu, whereas Kashmir recorded 34,98,702 tourist arrivals, including both domestic and foreign travellers.
The figures include 5,11,922 Amarnath Yatris and 94,55,605 Vaishno Devi Yatris in 2024.
Despite receiving significantly fewer overall tourists than Jammu, Kashmir saw a substantial rise in foreign tourist arrivals, according to the Economic Survey.
In 2021, Kashmir welcomed 1,614 foreign tourists compared to just 36 in Jammu. In 2022, the number surged to 19,947 in Kashmir, while Jammu recorded only 38 foreign visitors. In 2023, 37,678 foreign tourists visited Kashmir, whereas Jammu received 17,649. In 2024, Kashmir saw 43,654 foreign arrivals, nearly double Jammu’s 21,798.
The survey states that the number of foreign tourists in Kashmir has increased by more than 300 per cent over four years.
The 3rd Tourism Working Group Meeting of the G20, held in Srinagar from May 22 to 24, 2023, placed Jammu and Kashmir in the global spotlight, marking a crucial milestone for its tourism sector.
Landmark events such as the first-ever Sunburn Musical Festival in Jammu and the inaugural F4 Car Show in Srinagar further highlighted the region’s growing appeal and vibrant cultural landscape, the survey states.
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