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More than eight months after a massive terror strike jolted the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam, bringing tourism to a standstill, the resort town is witnessing a significant resurgence in tourist footfall.
“It is the first time such a rush is being witnessed in this season after the attack upended the entire tourist cycle,” said a local tourism official, requesting anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.
He noted that Pahalgam typically records low tourist arrivals during winter months, but this year visitors are arriving in significantly higher numbers, particularly from mainland India.
On April 22, terrorist shot dead 25 tourists and a local pony operator in Baisaran meadows, spurring a mass exodus of travellers from the Valley. Fears were further heightened at the time by subsequent military action by India against Pakistan. Kashmir received about 1.047 million domestic tourists in 2025, down sharply from nearly 2.6 million visitors in 2024, though arrivals have now begun to show signs of recovery.
Local tour operators said tourists have again begun streaming into the destinations on the eve of the New Year, though most visitors preferred day trips and avoided overnight stays.
“Tourist numbers are picking up, but shorter visits mean limited spending and fewer hotel bookings,” said a tour operator in Pahalgam.
While stakeholders caution that a full recovery will take time, they say the renewed flow of visitors has brought much-needed relief to an economy heavily dependent on tourism.
Irshad Ahamd, an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) operator told businessline that increased tourist footfall has helped revive daily earnings and restore some confidence among local operators after months of subdued business.
“We are looking forward to a sustained flow of tourists in the coming weeks so that businesses can recover some of the losses suffered over the past months,” Ahmad said.
Tourist impressions
Tourists visiting the Pahalgam said they were impressed by the safety and scenic beauty of Kashmir.
“Kashmir is truly heaven on earth — safe, peaceful and breathtakingly beautiful”, said Rahul Gupta, a tourist from Maharashtra.
He said that people should visit and enjoy its mesmerizing landscapes, warm hospitality and unique culture, which cannot be captured fully through pictures or videos.
Published on January 2, 2026
