Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced that all tourist destinations currently closed after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack are expected to reopen by May, newsonair reported.Concluding the discussion on Demands for Grants in the legislative Assembly, Abdullah said the administration moved “step by step” to restore tourism after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, even as sections of the industry feared the setback would keep visitors away from the Union Territory for years.Following the attack, nearly 50 tourist spots were closed. Around 25 of these destinations have since reopened, while the remaining are likely to resume operations in the coming months.
“There are certain things I cannot state openly, but I can assure you that discussions have taken place with the Central government. They also have certain constraints. However, you can assume that by May, all these destinations will reopen,” the Chief Minister said.He stated that while the Centre has ordered the reopening of many tourist destinations, some sites remain closed due to prevailing constraints.
Focus on infrastructure and repeat tourism
Abdullah said the administration engaged extensively with tourism stakeholders, rebuilt confidence through sustained outreach, and gradually restored activity despite several destinations remaining closed and restrictions in place at key locations.He mentioned that improving tourist infrastructure remains a key priority, as visitors often point out that while Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg are exceptionally beautiful, they lack adequate basic facilities such as toilets and other conveniences. “The government is committed to addressing these gaps,” Abdullah said.He emphasised that attracting first-time visitors to Jammu and Kashmir is not difficult, but true success lies in ensuring they return. “Repeat tourism is the real benchmark of a strong and sustainable tourism industry, and that is where the government is now placing its focus.”
Talking about the regions’s turnaround, Abdullah added that hotels in winter destinations like Gulmarg and Sonamarg are operating at full capacity, whereas Srinagar is also witnessing significant tourist footfall.“Tourism is a very important sector for Jammu and Kashmir. The reality is that when we were discussing the budget and grants last year, we had no idea that we would face such difficult circumstances (the Pahalgam attack that left 26 persons, mostly tourists, dead).“We revived tourism at a time when we were forced to tell people that ‘you can come to Kashmir, but you cannot visit Doodhpathri or Yousmarg’. We even had to tell tourists that ‘you may go up by the gondola (cable-car), but you cannot move beyond the roadside eateries on the right side’. Despite all this, we gradually brought tourism back to life,” the chief minister said. Read more: Karnataka: Safaris resume operations in Bandipur, Nagarahole from today under tight guidelines
Nine new tourist destinations planned
The Chief Minister further, added that the government is working to diversify tourism by opening nine new destinations.“I had mentioned in this House last year that under multilateral funding, we wanted to open nine new destinations in J-K. The reality is that we had almost reached the stage of signing the multilateral funding agreement, but an obstacle arose which we could not overcome.“Now, in consultation with the Centre, under a Centrally funded scheme, we will open nine new destinations. Their names will be released gradually. I assure you that people of Jammu will have no reason for complaint — Jammu will get its fair share,” he said.In Jammu, he noted that projects such as Jammu Lake and the Jammu Riverfront are nearing completion. Referring to the riverfront initiative, he said:“Even the Riverfront project has certain limits — it has not been extended to its full length. After discussing with the department, we intend to extend the Riverfront to its complete end under SASCI or some other scheme, so that just as Ahmedabad developed the Sabarmati Riverfront beautifully, we too can enhance the pride and beauty of Jammu and take it forward.” Read more: ‘Carry small candies or cigarettes’: Why this Baksheesh tip keeps showing up in Egypt travel forums
Expanding tourism across regions
The chief minister asserted that ot’s not possible for the government to bring every beautiful area onto the tourism map. “No matter how much promotion we do, tourists ultimately go where they choose. I cannot force a tourist to visit a particular place.”However, he highlighted that efforts are being made to develop at least one tourist destination in every area, promote it, provide it with infrastructure to lure visitors, particularly in Jammu, which already receives tons of pilgrims annually at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.“If we can divert even 10 per cent of them, that is 10 lakh tourists, it can transform the entire economy of Jammu,” he said.Abdullah added that the government aims to retain visitors for six to seven days by promoting border tourism, pilgrimage tourism, golf tourism, and destinations such as Bhaderwah and other regions.He stressed that Kashmir is no longer a summer-specific tourist destination, noting increased winter activity in Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg. The Tulip Garden in Srinagar has also helped tourist arrivals, while the newly developed Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood (Chrysanthemum Garden) has boosted footfall during the traditionally lean October–November period.“Our effort will be to further develop it this year,” he said.
