SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 1.77 crore domestic tourist visits in 2025, down from 2.30 crore in 2024, while foreign tourist visits fell to 36,410 from 65,452 during the same period, according to data provided by the Union Ministry of Tourism in the Rajya Sabha.
The figures show a decline of about 23 percent in domestic tourist visits and 44 percent in foreign tourist visits to Jammu and Kashmir in 2025. Despite the fall, domestic visits remained higher than the 2.07 crore recorded in 2023, according to the ministry’s state- and Union Territory-wise data.
Jammu and Kashmir had recorded 1.13 crore domestic and 1,650 foreign tourist visits in 2021. The figures rose to 1.85 crore domestic and 19,985 foreign visits in 2022, before reaching 2.07 crore domestic and 55,337 foreign visits in 2023.
Ladakh, meanwhile, recorded 3.04 lakh domestic and 32,034 foreign tourist visits in 2025, compared with 3.37 lakh domestic and 39,704 foreign visits in 2024. Its domestic tourist visits have declined from 5.10 lakh in 2022 and 4.89 lakh in 2023, while foreign visits rose from 1,054 in 2021 to a peak of 39,704 in 2024 before declining in 2025.
At the national level, domestic tourist visits increased from 67.76 crore in 2021 to 428.71 crore in 2025. Foreign tourist visits rose from 10.55 lakh to 252.73 lakh over the same period. In 2025, Jammu and Kashmir accounted for about 4.1 percent of all domestic tourist visits recorded across States and Union Territories, while Ladakh’s share was about 0.07 percent.
The Union Ministry of Tourism said the tourism sector contributed 5.22 percent to India’s GDP, based on the last Tourism Satellite Account. The ministry said it is taking steps to prepare the latest Tourism Satellite Account.
Tourism employment in the country increased from 6.94 crore in 2019-20 to 8.46 crore in 2023-24, according to figures based on the Periodic Labour Force Survey. Employment stood at 6.81 crore in 2020-21, before rising to 7 crore in 2021-22 and 7.62 crore in 2022-23.
The ministry said it was strengthening tourism-related employment through the Capacity Building of Service Providers scheme, which provides skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling programmes in tourism and hospitality. It also said the revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme aims to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, create jobs and self-employment for local communities, and improve the skills of local youth.
Foreign exchange earnings from tourism increased from Rs 63,978 crore in 2021 to Rs 2,93,033 crore in 2024, before declining to Rs 2,76,831 crore in 2025.
The ministry attributed changes in tourist arrivals to factors including tourist preferences and the visa regime. It said growth has also been supported by improved air connectivity, tourism infrastructure, domestic and international marketing campaigns and India’s positioning as a diverse and culturally rich destination.
The government said tourism infrastructure is being supported through schemes including Swadesh Darshan, the PRASHAD scheme and assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development. It also cited campaigns such as Dekho Apna Desh and Chalo India, along with the promotion of thematic tourism including wellness, culinary, rural and eco-tourism.
The ministry further said e-visa facilities are available to nationals of 174 countries through 33 designated airports, 35 seaports and four land ports.
