Srinagar, Sep 18: Kashmir’s tourism sector has recorded a sharp summer rebound, with more than eight lakh visitors arriving in the Valley between May and July 2026, offering fresh momentum to an industry that faced a major setback last year.
Official figures show that 8,07,008 tourists visited Kashmir during the three-month period, compared with 1,76,751 in the same period in 2025. The increase amounts to about 357 per cent, although the comparison is influenced by the unusually low tourist base recorded last year after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.
The month-wise figures show that the recovery gathered pace quickly.
Kashmir received 2,19,449 visitors in May, compared with 18,853 in May 2025. Arrivals increased further to 3,21,196 in June, against 58,302 a year earlier. July recorded 2,66,363 tourists, compared with 99,596 during the corresponding month last year.
Domestic travellers accounted for most of the improvement. Their arrivals increased to 8,02,871 between May and July, from 1,74,128 during the same period in 2025. Foreign tourist arrivals also increased, rising from 2,623 to 4,137.
The figures suggest that the Valley regained considerable tourist activity during the peak summer months. Reports earlier this year had pointed to growing interest in Kashmir as the tourism sector worked to rebuild confidence after the 2025 disruption.
The recovery has also been visible at individual destinations. Sonamarg, for instance, recorded more than six lakh visitors during the first eight months of 2026, according to a September report.
However, the broader numbers show that the recovery is still progressing.
Kashmir received 4,37,737 tourists during January-April 2026, compared with 6,55,080 in the same period of 2025. That represents a decline of about 33.2 per cent.
Tourism industry representatives say the summer improvement is encouraging, but visitor numbers have yet to fully return to pre-attack levels.
People associated with the industry said , said tourist arrivals had improved but remained below the levels seen before the Pahalgam attack.
“Although tourists came back this season, it is far behind the pre-Pahalgam levels.”
The industry is now looking towards the autumn season, particularly October, when favourable weather traditionally attracts visitors to the Valley.
A senior tourism department official said the rise in arrivals reflected a significant recovery in tourist confidence and expressed hope that the momentum would continue in the coming months.
