Srinagar, September 28
The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department celebrated World Tourism Day by hosting a variety of engaging programmes throughout the Valley to boost tourism.
The programmes, including a music festival in Pahalgam and Gulmarg, aimed at spreading a message of positivity and ensuring that the "barbaric" Pahalgam terror attack does not deter people from bringing back discussions about visiting the Union territory once more, according to Director Raja Yaqoob.
Yaqoob, on Saturday, told ANI, "...On World Tourism Day, we organised various programs across Kashmir... In Pahalgam, we organised a bicycle rally and a painting competition among school children. Apart from this, a huge musical festival was also organised in Pahalgam. Similarly, a musical festival was also celebrated in Gulmarg... We aim to bring positivity to the entire country and the entire region, especially in the aftermath of the unfortunate incident in Pahalgam. Now, finally, we can see tourists in large numbers in Jammu and Kashmir."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism also celebrated World Tourism Day 2025 with the theme "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation", bringing together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society.
The event was attended by Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, as the Chief Guest. Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Tourism, Petroleum & Natural Gas, presided over the celebration, while Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, delivered the welcome address.
Reflecting the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) theme, the event highlighted tourism's role in sustainable transformation and its significance in India's journey towards "Viksit Bharat 2047."
The Ministry said the World Tourism Day 2025 celebrations reaffirmed India's commitment to making tourism a movement for building a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future, showcasing leadership on the global stage while embracing innovation and people-centric development.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Wonderful to see Kashmir coming back to life with tourism activities. The music festivals in Pahalgam and Gulmarg must have been amazing. Planning a family trip next month - hope the positive atmosphere continues! ðŸ™
While I appreciate the efforts, I hope the government is also focusing on sustainable tourism. Kashmir's natural beauty is precious and we need to ensure it's preserved for future generations. The theme "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation" is spot on.
Visited Kashmir last year and it was breathtaking! Glad to see such positive developments. The local people were so warm and welcoming. These events will definitely help change perceptions about the region.
Great initiative by the Tourism Department! After the unfortunate Pahalgam incident, it's important to show that Kashmir is safe and welcoming. The music festivals sound amazing - wish I could have attended! 🎵
As someone who has been following Kashmir's tourism development, this is encouraging news. The involvement of school children in painting competitions is particularly heartwarming. Hope this leads to more international tourists discovering Kashmir's beauty.
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