Tourists shift gaze to Jammu’s Patnitop as Kashmir's Gulmarg, Sonamarg hotels stand empty

Patnitop

As the picturesque valleys of Kashmir witness a lull in tourist activity owing to border tensions, travellers are increasingly turning their attention to Jammu’s Patnitop, injecting fresh energy into the region’s hospitality sector.

Traditionally, Kashmir has been the crown jewel of north Indian tourism, drawing lakhs of visitors each year to its famed gardens, lakes and snow-capped peaks. However, recent security concerns and heightened tensions along the border have cast a shadow over the valley’s tourism-dependent economy.

While tourism dims in Kashmir owing to border tensions, visitors flock to Jammu's PatnitopRead @ANI Story | https://t.co/9LAelnQeWA#Kashmir #Tourism pic.twitter.com/pwOA9M7mNb
ANI Digital (@ani_digital) May 12, 2025

According to a report by The Times of India, local businesses in Srinagar and surrounding areas have reported a noticeable dip in bookings and footfall this season, with many hoteliers expressing concern over cancellations and dwindling inquiries.

The tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir has been facing an unprecedented crisis, with hotels in Gulmarg and Sonamarg standing empty, following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed 26 lives.

In stark contrast, Patnitop, a scenic hill station nestled in the Udhampur district of Jammu, has emerged as an unexpected beneficiary. The area, known for its lush meadows and panoramic views of the Shivalik range, is witnessing a surge in visitors seeking a peaceful alternative to Kashmir. Hoteliers and tour operators in Patnitop report business to be picking up, offering a welcome economic opportunity for local residents who depend on the sector for their livelihood.

"Ever since the situation in Pahalgam worsened, our work was absolutely zero, the people who were from here fled from Jammu and are now coming to live here. Now we have got relief because vehicles have come, otherwise, the situation was bad", hotelier Rajesh Kumar told ANI.