Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the latest terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, has affected tourism in the area, albeit not severely. Early indications suggest that mood is improving, even if the incident caused a wave of cancellations and a brief drop in visitor confidence. This is especially true given that Indian visitors have started visiting the valley again just one week after many of them first canceled their reservations.
Shekhawat emphasized that these returning tourists are essential to restoring trust and proving that Kashmir is still a secure and alluring travel destination.
Shekhawat is hopeful about the long-term outlook for Kashmir’s tourism industry in spite of setbacks. Although he admitted that the attack had resulted in a “slight setback” to current initiatives to create new tourist attractions in the valley, he emphasized that cooperation between the federal government, state governments, and the private sector could aid in the industry’s recovery and growth. The Kashmir Valley saw an average of 20.1 lakh tourists annually between 2021 and 2023, an 80 percent rise over the 11.1 lakh recorded between 2016 and 2018, underscoring the area’s rising popularity before the attack.
Looking ahead, Shekhawat presented a plan for India’s economy to reach $30 trillion by 2047, with tourism’s GDP share perhaps increasing from the current 7-8% to 10% if industry and government continue to work together. He also noted active legislative reforms and marketing initiatives by many states, expressing optimism that India may be among the top 10 tourist destinations in the world over the next ten years.
The growth of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism is a major topic of attention. Shekhawat claimed that India could become the world’s “MICE capital” if infrastructural initiatives were coordinated and the public and commercial sectors worked together.
One example of India’s ability to host major international events was the recent WAVES Summit in Mumbai. In order to promote longer visitor stays and further grow the industry, Suman Berry, vice chairperson of NITI Aayog, noted that MICE tourism has a lot of potential to generate jobs and economic activity. He also argued for the development of entertainment ecosystems surrounding large cities.
In conclusion, government officials are nevertheless optimistic about the tourism industry’s resilience and long-term growth potential, despite the Pahalgam incident momentarily disrupting travel to Kashmir. Restoring trust, helping impacted populations, and carrying on the larger campaign to establish India—and Kashmir in particular—as a top travel destination worldwide are the immediate priorities.