Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Dec 29: After witnessing fluctuations throughout the year, Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector has regained its pace, with strong bookings reported in November and December.
Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajad, said the department is optimistic about a vibrant 2026, as the Valley’s tourism graph continues to show steady recovery.
“Tourism in Kashmir is back on track,” he said. “Our bookings for November and December have improved. and though not in large numbers yet, the industry is moving back to normal.”
The Director said the department has drawn up an extensive promotion calendar, including roadshows across major Indian cities and international tourism exhibitions in Germany and Malaysia, aimed at attracting visitors from Europe and East Asia.
“We want to expose the hidden treasures of the Valley to the world. Our focus is on dreaming bigger and achieving higher targets so that the tourism industry here continues to flourish,” he said.
Highlighting the contribution of local communities, Sajad said the tourism industry in Kashmir has been “groomed for decades” and that efforts are now being intensified to ensure stakeholders benefit from their long-standing work.
“Our industry has been nurtured for centuries. It’s time the people who built this legacy reap the harvest of their efforts,” he said.
The Director added that the upgradation of destinations and infrastructure remains a top priority. The department has initiated a plan to renovate government-owned assets that remained unattended for years.
“We are repairing and refurbishing our tourist facilities and changing furniture, upgrading exteriors and improving amenities. Once refurbished, these will be outsourced to youth to create dignified employment avenues,” Sajad said. He stressed that 2026 will focus on three key areas: infrastructure development, employment generation and destination grooming.
“We are committed to making our service sector more efficient and raising satisfaction levels among tourists. I anticipate that the coming year will be a very good one for Kashmir’s tourism industry,” he said. (KNO)
