CM pins hopes on Kashmir’s snow magic to heal year of tourism setbacks

Srinagar, Nov 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday acknowledged that 2025 has been a difficult year for the tourism sector, saying a series of tragic incidents, including the Pahalgam attack and the blast in Delhi, had shaken traveller confidence.

However, he expressed optimism that early snowfall could help the Valley recover lost ground this winter.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a tourism-related event in Srinagar, CM Omar said the sector had “taken repeated hits” this year.

The April 22 attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, most of them tourists, and the November 10 car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed 15 people, cast a shadow over travel sentiment.

An accidental explosion at Nowgam Police Station earlier this month added to public anxiety.

“These incidents have had a major impact on our tourism. It has not been an easy year,” the CM said. “But snowfall always changes the mood. November passed without snow, and we are hoping December brings enough to set the stage for our winter season.”

He said that though tourist arrivals had not stopped, the numbers were below expectations.

Attractions like the newly-opened Chrysanthemum Garden offered some respite, he said, but winter tourism would depend heavily on weather conditions.

“Tourists are coming, but not in the numbers we want. If the snow arrives on time, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Srinagar will all see a boost,” CM Omar said. “The government is hopeful of stronger footfall during Christmas and the New Year.”

He said the administration had completed its promotional campaigns and that sustained marketing remained central to the sector’s revival.

“Promotion is key. The more you promote, the more people come,” the CM said.

Earlier, he inaugurated the Kashmir chapter of SKÅL International Club, a global body of tourism professionals.

CM Omar said the launch signalled deeper global engagement for J&K and would help expand international tourism networks.

Highlighting the shared values between SKÅL and the ethos of tourism in Kashmir, he said the focus now must remain on responsible and sustainable practices.

“Tourism won’t survive if it isn’t sustainable and community-oriented,” the CM said, revealing that the government was working on a major project to develop nine new destinations with environmental safeguards and local participation at its core.

Reflecting on the long list of setbacks the sector has weathered over the decades, he praised the resilience of the people of J&K.

“We have seen many difficult phases. Yet we continue to stand strong,” CM Omar said. “Winters don’t last forever. My hope is that the spring ahead lasts for years.”

He said that he expected the collaboration between SKÅL and Kashmir’s tourism stakeholders to open new avenues for growth and help restore an upward trajectory for the industry.