Kashmir’s tourism sector is reeling under the impact of an unprecedented dry spell, leading to a 50% decline in tourist footfalls and a surge in booking cancellations. The lack of snowfall has severely affected winter tourism, with destinations like Gulmarg witnessing a 20-30% drop in business, while Pahalgam and Srinagar face a steeper 50% decline, according to Aqib Chaya, President of the Hoteliers Club Gulmarg.
The postponement of the 2025 Khelo India Winter Games has further dampened business prospects, leading to substantial cancellations. Chaya warned that unchecked commercial expansion and climate change factors are worsening the situation, urging the government to focus on sustainable and eco-friendly tourism infrastructure.
Manzoor Pakthoon, Chairman of the Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association (KHOA), highlighted that the absence of snow has particularly impacted foreign tourist arrivals from Europe and Russia, which were key markets in previous years. He noted that while Gulmarg usually enjoys full occupancy in peak winter, this season saw only 60% of bookings.
With water scarcity concerns rising due to reduced snowfall, stakeholders are calling for immediate policy interventions to mitigate the long-term impact on both tourism and agriculture. As climate change tightens its grip on Kashmir, industry experts warn of greater economic setbacks if sustainable measures are not urgently implemented.
