Kashmir sees a major dip in tourists footfall due to dry spell

Recent update from the ‘Heaven on Earth’, Kashmir shows that the tourism industry in the state is going through a low phase due to an unprecedented dry spell. This has resulted in a major drop in tourist arrivals and in cancellations as well. Because of low to no snowfall, a number of tourists have cancelled their trips which has a negative impact on the region's winter tourism. Some of the premium winter and snowfall destinations in Kashmir such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam are badly affected by this.
As per reports, Gulmarg has seen a 20-30% reduction in business because of dry spell. The condition is worst in Pahalgam and Srinagar, where bookings have dropped by up to 50%. The situation is bad and threatens the tourism economy in the region.
However, the worst thing to happen was the postponement of the 2025 Khelo India Winter Games. The event draws large crowds and tourists and it helps boost the winter tourism business in the region. Because of this, further cancellations happened and as expectations of increased tourist traffic for the event faded. Locals have expressed concern over the unchecked growth of commercial ventures in the region, suggesting that both climate change and excessive development are resulting in the challenges facing the tourism industry.
The impact of the dry spell has been particularly noticeable in the international tourism market, especially from Europe and Russia. These two places are prime sources of foreign visitors. Manzoor Pakthoon, Chairman of the Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association (KHOA), shared that these markets have seen a marked decline due to the lack of snow, which typically draws foreign tourists to Kashmir. Despite the high demand that Gulmarg usually experiences during peak winter, occupancy rates this season have only reached about 60%, significantly below usual levels.

Not only this, the reduced snowfall has raised serious concerns about water scarcity in the region. The lack of snowmelt that usually feeds rivers and reservoirs has prompted fears about its long-term effects on agriculture and the livelihoods that depend on it. Stakeholders in both the tourism and agricultural industries are calling for immediate policy interventions to address these challenges and ensure a sustainable future.
With climate change continuing to impact the region, experts are warning that further economic setbacks are imminent if appropriate measures are not taken promptly to protect Kashmir’s natural resources and tourism industry.