Srinagar, June 10: Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on Wednesday projected that a record 3 crore tourists will visit Kashmir in 2026 — more than double the number of visitors between January and December last year — as he made a strong push for the Valley as the country’s top domestic destination.
Speaking after launching a cleanliness drive at the Hazratbal Shrine, Seth, as per Kashmir Convener, said 1.77 crore tourists came to Kashmir in 2025 following the Pahalgam incident. “My prediction is that this time, in 2026, the number of tourists will reach 3 crore. This is my prediction,” he said.
The Minister credited the surge to prevailing peace and stability, asserting that people feel safe travelling to the region. “People want to come. And that’s why Prime Minister Modi said — don’t go out to celebrate, don’t go out to roam. If you want to roam, then go to Kashmir, go to the North East,” Seth said.
Observing footfall from across the country, Seth said, “Since yesterday, people from Gujarat, Bengal, Bengaluru, Chennai — people from all over India are coming. Let’s go to Kashmir. Kashmir is a beautiful place.”
The Minister’s remarks come ahead of the peak summer tourist season, with the government looking to build on last year’s numbers. He drew a contrast with global instability, pointing to the Middle East crisis to argue that India — and Kashmir — remain unaffected in terms of market disruptions or price rises.
“No panic. Peace, tranquility — everyone is peaceful,” Seth said, adding that the government has not burdened the people despite India not having its own oil wells. “The countrymen don’t have to worry all night. Modi worries about everyone.”
The cleanliness drive at the revered Hazratbal Shrine was held under the theme “12 Saal Bemisaal: Vishwas, Vikas, Jan Kalyan,” marking 12 years of the Modi government. Seth framed the tourism boom as a direct outcome of development and trust.
“Modi means development. Modi means 1.40 crore people — my family,” he said, referring to the nation’s population. “And as a part of that family, the country is moving forward peacefully and very fast.”
With domestic tourists from Gujarat, Bengal, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu already arriving, Seth expressed confidence that 2026 will be a milestone year for Kashmir’s tourism industry.
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