In a significant move for India’s hospitality and tourism sectors, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, convened a high-level conference in Srinagar with Tourism Secretaries from various States and Union Territories. Held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), the event underlined the government’s renewed commitment to Kashmir’s revival as a premier tourism destination.
The conference comes at a crucial time, just weeks after a terror incident in Pahalgam disrupted travel sentiment. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat addressed the gathering, stating that Kashmir’s tourism industry is on a firm path to recovery. He credited the coordinated efforts between the Jammu & Kashmir administration and the Centre for swiftly implementing effective confidence-building measures that have helped stabilise the region’s tourism-dependent economy.
Hospitality professionals and state representatives in attendance reaffirmed the region’s potential, especially as hotel occupancy rates begin to recover and forward bookings show an upward trend. The Minister stressed that the conference aimed to send a unified message across India — that Kashmir remains safe, welcoming, and central to the national tourism strategy.
Key discussions focused on enhancing infrastructure, improving hospitality standards, and boosting last-mile connectivity to elevate the overall visitor experience. These are critical factors in ensuring the sustained revival of the region’s hotel and restaurant ecosystem.
Minister Shekhawat also reiterated the Centre’s broader vision of developing at least 50 world-class tourist destinations across India. This includes positioning Kashmir not just as a seasonal hotspot, but as a year-round destination enriched by heritage hospitality, sustainable tourism practices, and immersive cultural offerings.
Industry stakeholders view the conference as a timely signal to both domestic and international tourists, tour operators, and hospitality investors that Kashmir is once again open for business. For hotel operators, travel companies, and tourism entrepreneurs, the government’s focused attention on the region opens new avenues for development and strategic partnerships in the hospitality space.
As Kashmir begins a fresh chapter in tourism-led growth, the collaboration between public policy and private enterprise will play a pivotal role in shaping its future as a resilient and globally competitive destination.
