Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that timely snowfall will be the single biggest factor in improving tourist arrivals in Kashmir this winter, especially after what he described as a “challenging year” for the region’s tourism sector.
Speaking to reporters, Omar Abdullah told the *Kashmir News Observer* (KNO) that while business-to-business engagements help the industry, “promotion and marketing remain the biggest contributors to tourism growth.” He added that 2025 has been particularly difficult, with several destinations witnessing lower-than-expected activity.
“This year has tested us—whether it’s Pahalgam, Delhi, or Nowgam. November has remained dry so far, and now we are pinning our hopes on good snowfall in December,” the Chief Minister said.
He noted that although tourists are still visiting Pahalgam and other popular locations, a fresh spell of snow would significantly uplift the Valley’s winter tourism prospects. “Snowfall is key to boosting Kashmir’s tourism this season,” he said, expressing optimism that the period around Christmas and New Year will see better turnout if weather conditions improve.
