April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam didn’t just end lives, it ended a season of hope. Kashmir, which had finally started rewriting its story from conflict to calm, has once again been dragged back by the same old shadows. The act of terror in Pahalgam has silenced more than just people; it’s silenced an entire economy that was learning to dream again.
Tourism is one of the most important sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the state’s Economic Survey, the sector contributes between 7% and 8% to the region’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). With the total GSDP estimated at Rs 2.65 lakh crore, tourism is believed to be worth between Rs 18,500 crore and Rs 21,200 crore annually.
The state government had set a target to raise this contribution to 15% in the coming 4–5 years. But the Pahalgam attack has put these plans in danger.
The attack came during the start of the tourist season, which runs from April to October. This is the time when businesses related to hotels, transport, handicrafts, and local markets earn most of their income.
Over the last few years, Kashmir had seen a steady rise in the number of visitors. Tourist arrivals grew from 34 lakh in 2020 to a record 2.36 crore in 2024. This included 65,000 foreign tourists.
