After terror shock, tourists return to Pahalgam; winter footfall rebounds months after attack

Day trips surge as confidence slowly returns to Kashmir’s battered tourism economy.

• Tourists return to Pahalgam post-April terror attack.
• Domestic travel boosts recovery, especially in winter.
• Shorter visits cut spending, but local operators see better daily earnings.

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More than eight months after a devastating terror attack brought tourism in Pahalgam to a halt, the popular Kashmir resort town is showing clear signs of recovery, with an unexpected surge in tourist footfall, even during the typically lean winter season, The Hindu Businessline reported.

Local officials and tourism operators say the renewed inflow, largely driven by domestic travellers, marks the first sustained revival since the April attack in the Baisaran meadows that shattered confidence across the Valley.

A season that’s breaking the pattern

“It is the first time such a rush is being witnessed in this season after the attack upended the entire tourist cycle,” a local tourism official told The Hindu Businessline, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak publicly.

Pahalgam usually sees muted arrivals during winter. This year, however, visitors, especially from mainland India, have been arriving in noticeably higher numbers, defying seasonal trends and expectations.

The attack that froze tourism

On April 22, terrorists shot dead 25 tourists and a local pony operator in Baisaran Meadows, triggering a mass exodus of travellers from Pahalgam and other parts of Kashmir.

The shock was compounded by subsequent military action by India against Pakistan, deepening fears among tourists. As a result, Kashmir received about 1.047 million domestic tourists in 2025, sharply lower than nearly 2.6 million visitors in 2024, according to figures cited by The Hindu Businessline. Officials say arrivals are now beginning to recover.

Recovery, but with limits

Tour operators told The Hindu Businessline that tourists have started returning, particularly around the New Year period, but travel behaviour has changed.

“Tourist numbers are picking up, but shorter visits mean limited spending and fewer hotel bookings,” said a Pahalgam-based operator, noting that many visitors prefer day trips and avoid overnight stays.

While this has softened the economic blow, it has not fully restored the hospitality sector, which relies heavily on longer stays.

Local livelihoods feel the lift

For small operators, even this partial recovery has brought relief.

Irshad Ahmad, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) operator, told The Hindu Businessline that increased footfall has revived daily earnings and restored some confidence after months of near-total stagnation.

“We are looking forward to a sustained flow of tourists in the coming weeks so that businesses can recover some of the losses suffered over the past months,” he said.

Tourists weigh in on safety

Visitors returning to Pahalgam say safety concerns have eased.

“Kashmir is truly heaven on earth, safe, peaceful and breathtakingly beautiful,” said Rahul Gupta, a tourist from Maharashtra, adding that the region’s landscapes, hospitality and culture are best experienced in person.