By Sulagna Halder,
Srinagar, June 22, 2025:
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted pictures of the thronging crowds on social media, indicating that Pahalgam, the picturesque town tucked away in south Kashmir's Lidder Valley, is currently experiencing a thriving tourist influx.
His appointment coincides with a notable spike in summertime tourism to Kashmir's renowned hill stations. "Pahalgam is packed with tourists, hotels are full, and the market is bustling," Abdullah wrote as he posted pictures from his recent trip to Pahalgam on X (formerly Twitter). It is wonderful to see the town prospering.
The pictures featured families taking pony rides along the Lidder River, bustling marketplaces, and local merchants interacting with visitors.
According to local tour operators, the number of visitors to Pahalgam has doubled since the same time last year. The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department reports that between April and mid June 2025, more than 3.2 lakh tourists traveled to Pahalgam. "Seeing such a rush is encouraging. Although the pandemic years were very challenging, this season is exhibiting encouraging signs,” according to Bashir Ahmad, a town hotelier.
“Until mid July, all reservations are full." Authorities credit the increase to better connectivity, effective marketing initiatives by the Union Territory's tourism division, and the area's overall tranquility. Furthermore, thousands more are anticipated to visit the region as part of the Amarnath Yatra, which is set to start on June 29.
According to Fazl-ul-Haseeb, Director of Tourism Kashmir, "tourism is bouncing back in a big way." "It is encouraging to see such a positive response from both domestic and international tourists, as we have been focusing on infrastructure, safety, and hygiene." In anticipation of the Yatra and the ongoing influx of tourists, the government has also increased security and made medical preparations.
In and around Pahalgam, local authorities have set up sanitation units, medical tents, and traffic officers in the main tourist areas.
Residents and tour operators were excited by Omar Abdullah's post, which was extensively shared online. Many commended the area's tranquil ambiance and said they hoped the season would bring about a long-term recovery for the Valley's economy, which depends heavily on tourism.
Pahalgam is once again resonating with laughter, footsteps, and the hum of revitalized life as hotel occupancy reaches all time highs and tourists arrive from all over the nation.
