JAMMU: The Jammu & Kashmir government announced on Tuesday that 4.48 crore tourists, including 1.20 lakh foreign visitors, traveled to the region in the last two years.
In a written response to a query from Eidgah MLA Mubarak Gul, Minister for Tourism Omar Abdullah stated that J&K recorded 2.12 crore tourist arrivals in 2023 and 2.36 crore in 2024. Among them, 55,337 foreign visitors arrived in 2023, while the number rose to 65,452 in 2024. Meanwhile, 2.11 crore domestic tourists visited in 2023, with an increase to 2.35 crore in 2024.
The government further revealed that Rs 35.08 crore was allocated for promotions, advertising, and other tourism-related campaigns over the past two financial years, with Rs 14.14 crore spent in 2023-24 and Rs 20.94 crore in 2024-25. Additionally, 59 tourism department properties have been outsourced during this period.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the governmentโs plan to enhance pilgrim tourism in Jammu, encouraging devotees of the Mata Vaishnodevi shrine to explore other attractions in the region. He noted that one crore pilgrims visit the shrine annually, and diverting even 10-15% of them to other destinations would significantly benefit the local economy.
โAs part of our plan, we will introduce three, four, and seven-day tour packages to promote various sites,โ Abdullah stated during the Assembly session. Responding to a question from BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi, he acknowledged that many devotees remain unaware of Jammuโs other religious and cultural attractions.
Abdullah underscored the challenge of attracting pilgrims beyond Vaishnodevi but reaffirmed the governmentโs commitment to boosting Jammuโs tourism sector. He mentioned several ongoing projects aimed at enhancing tourism infrastructure in Jammu city, funded under the State Capex Budget and the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Key developments include the installation of a musical water fountain with a sound and light show at Bagh-e-Bahu, improved tourist amenities at Bhagwati Nagar, and the construction of recreational facilities at Sidhra Golf Course. Additional projects feature an amusement park near Sidhra Golf Course, a ropeway linking Mohmaya to Bagh-e-Bahu, and various initiatives planned under the Capex Budget 2024-25.
Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) has been actively modernizing the cityโs infrastructure to attract more visitors. Abdullah highlighted major projects under the Smart City initiative, including the restoration of heritage landmarks such as Bahu Fort, Mubarak Mandi, and Raghunath Bazaar. The plan also includes the preservation of temples, ghats, and other historic sites.
To improve urban mobility, Abdullah announced upgrades to major roads, pedestrian-friendly pathways, and the launch of electric buses for eco-friendly transportation. The redevelopment of the Tawi Riverfront is also underway, featuring promenades, cycling tracks, and leisure zones.
Additionally, the government is working on aesthetic enhancements, with facade lighting set to illuminate landmarks like Bahu Fort, Mubarak Mandi Army Headquarters, Maha Maya Temple, and all Tawi bridges.
Abdullah reiterated that these efforts align with the JSCLโs broader vision of transforming Jammu into a modern, tourist-friendly, and environmentally sustainable city while preserving its cultural heritage.
