Ziraat Times News Desk
Srinagar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed concern over the steep decline in tourist arrivals in Kashmir this September compared to last year, while accusing the National Conference (NC) of attempting to mislead the public on the state of the tourism sector.
BJP spokesperson Manzoor Bhat said the tourism industry, which sustains thousands of families in the Valley, is facing an acute slowdown. “The tourism sector is the economic lifeblood of Kashmir, supporting hoteliers, shikara and houseboat owners, and young entrepreneurs. Right now, everyone is deeply worried. Financial conditions have plummeted, and people are struggling,” Bhat told reporters.
He highlighted that many hotel owners had mortgaged their homes to renovate properties, while young people who purchased vehicles to transport tourists are now struggling to pay loans. “One young man I know has a mother battling cancer. He is unable to afford her treatment while paying monthly car installments,” Bhat said.
Tourism numbers show steep fall
Quoting official data, Bhat said Kashmir recorded more than 7.6 crore visitors between 2020 and 2024, including 1.47 lakh foreign tourists. In September 2024 alone, around 1 lakh tourists visited the Valley, among them 3,500 foreigners.
However, in September 2025, the numbers have dropped sharply to just 9,000 tourists, including 406 foreign visitors. “This decline clearly shows the hardship local stakeholders are facing this season,” he said.
‘Tourism flourished under LG administration’
Despite the current slowdown, Bhat credited the Narendra Modi government and the administration of the Lieutenant Governor with having previously strengthened the tourism sector. “These figures prove that under LG’s administration, tourism has flourished like never before, despite challenges,” he said, while urging immediate remedial steps to restore tourist inflow.
Bhat also hit out at NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah for his recent remarks that Kashmir “needs a tourism revival.” Terming them ironic, Bhat said, “During the tenure of Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister, when the Tourism Department was under his government, there was absolute failure to promote and revive the sector. For them to now speak of revival is nothing short of hypocrisy.”
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