With over 15k international visitors arrivals in 5 months this year so far, this is by far the biggest amount witnessed in comparison to the previous year.
After a lengthy absence, global visitors are rekindling their love affair with their favorite tourist destination Kashmir.
From January to June 19, over 15,000 international visitors visited the Valley this year, and that figure is anticipated to skyrocket by the end of the year.
According to official estimates, 4028 international visitors visited Kashmir from January to June last year. Said Top Official Tourism.
Following the repeal of Article 370 in August 2019 and two to three years of travel restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, the number of foreign visitors visiting the valley decreased.
However, the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s attempts to revive tourism have dramatically transformed tourist growth in the valley during the previous two years.
The tourist sector has the potential to boost Kashmir’s local economy and offer job opportunities for its citizens.
G-20 meet in Srinagar
The third G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting in Srinagar was “very successful,” and this would assist to enhance tourism in Jammu and Kashmir by “allaying any fears” that visitors may have in the future.
The successful hosting of the G20 Tourist Working Group conference in May is expected to be a game changer in the tourist sector of J&K.
The G20 gathering showcased the grandeur and splendor of J&K and its friendliness and hospitality. This is sure to draw an increasing number of foreign tourists to J&K.
Aside from the main working group meeting, a side event on ‘Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation’ was held, focused on measures to boost film tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the Srinagar meeting, a draught ‘National Strategy on Film Tourism’ was launched to establish a road map for leveraging the role of films in marketing tourist destinations.
International tourists are likely to visit Kashmir in the next months of July, August, and September. “We are also anticipating a large number of international tourists throughout October, November, and December this year,” an official stated.
Bollywood’s Favorite Destination
Over the previous two years, around 350 film teams have been authorized to shoot in Jammu and Kashmir, a record amount in the last four decades.
The return of Bollywood to Kashmir has also contributed to the general sense of normality and, ideally, will draw more tourists to the Valley.
In recent years, tourism has rebounded in Jammu and Kashmir, and the local Union territory administration has also developed a film plan to boost film production.
The J&K tourism administration recently stated that hundreds of sites had been chosen to promote film tourism in the UT this year.
Recently, film stars were filming in north Kashmir, and social media was buzzing with their filming schedule and magnificent vistas.
This also creates a positive picture in the minds of tourists and contributes to an increase in the number of visitors to the valley.
The valley is once again becoming a favorite location for Bollywood, which aids in promoting the Kashmir valley as a favorite destination for foreign tourists.
The Economy and job opportunities For Jammu and Kashmir
Growing tourism has helped to strengthen the Kashmir economy and restore jobs lost during the consecutive security and Covid-19 lockdowns.
The expansion in the sector is also having a favorable spillover impact on other industries.
In recent years, the area has seen an increase in local and foreign visitor visits. Up to December 2022, Jammu and Kashmir receives 1.89 crore visitor arrivals, the most in 75 years.
The tourism business in Jammu and Kashmir earns over Rs. 8,000 crores each year, accounting for almost 7% of the state’s GDP.
The sector, directly and indirectly, employs over 70,000 people, including hotel personnel, tour operators, taxi drivers, and souvenir dealers. The figures demonstrate the sector’s ability to strengthen the local economy and provide job opportunities.
