Jammu, Jul 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said there is a renewed sense of optimism surrounding the revival of tourism in the state, following the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead.
Speaking at a travel and tourism event, Abdullah said there is hope for a fresh start in Jammu and Kashmir, with tourism “bouncing back” after the terror attack.
“2025 hasn’t been an easy year for us. The year can be divided into two parts – before and after Pahalgam attack. We all see that tourism is bouncing back in J&K. There is a message of hope,” Abdullah said.
He described the current phase as a “new beginning” for the state’s tourism sector.
“It is no longer a story of gloom and doom,” he added.
The chief minister noted that over the past three months, the tourism model in Jammu and Kashmir had evolved from “volume-based” to “value-based”, reflecting a shift towards quality experiences over mere numbers.
Recalling the immediate aftermath of the attack, he said, “From full hotels to empty ones, from crowded shikaras in Dal Lake to none, the situation is gradually recovering. It is now a message of hope as dark clouds are lifting.”
He said from 50 direct flights to the state to around 15 after the Pahalgam attack, it has now increased to over 20 per day now.
Abdullah also highlighted the successful ongoing Amarnath Yatra, with a strong turnout from West Bengal, and noted that hotel occupancy in popular tourist spots like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg is rising again.
“Ask those who visited from Bengal recently if they felt unsafe, and they’ll say no,” he said.
People of West Bengal are with J&K, he said, adding that the relationship between the two regions transcends over time in the context of “trust and affection”.
“West Bengal stood with J&K both politically and economically. We offer adventure and destination tourism. On the ground, there is an air of hope of a new beginning,” the chief minister said.
Abdullah assured that all necessary steps have been taken for the safety of tourists in J&K.
“I understand everyone’s concern after the Pahalgam incident. But please be assured that all necessary steps have been taken. Please listen to the people who have returned from Pahalgam recently,” he said.
Abdullah recalled the example of Rajkumar Banerjee, a Bengali who was appointed administrator to J&K a century ago but resigned in 1929, two years after being appointed in 1927, in solidarity with the local people.
The CM said since the 1990s, when Kashmir began witnessing a revival in tourism, the highest number of tourists consistently came from West Bengal and Gujarat—a trend that has continued despite the recent Pahalgam attack.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Durga Puja festivities, he expressed confidence in a strong turnout from West Bengal and assured that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I understand everyone’s concern after the Pahalgam incident. But please be assured that all necessary steps have been taken. Tourism is bouncing back. I am here in the city (Kolkata) to boost that”, he said.
On whether the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack had been tracked down after 70 days, Abdullah said, “If you consider J&K’s topography — with dense forests and high mountains — it poses challenges. But no effort is being spared to track them down.”
He said security agencies were pursuing a “two-pronged approach” to ensure attackers stay away from both tourist and civilian areas and also hunting down the attackers.
Asked if there was any intelligence failure leading to the attack, Abdullah declined to respond, saying, “I don’t wish to turn a tourism meet into a political slugfest.”
Tourists are now being allowed back to Pahalgam, he said.
“We are committed to reopening all tourist destinations — but only after ensuring complete safety,” he added.
