Ahmedabad: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said tourism in his union territory got affected after the Pahalgam terror attack, but asserted that people associated with the industry were not sitting idle either.
In one of the worst terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir in recent history, 26 tourists, including several from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka, were killed at Pahalgam on April 22 this year. The attack also dealt a blow to Kashmir’s tourism economy.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday on the second day of his visit to Gujarat, Abdullah said, “I am not denying that the Pahalgam terror attack had affected our tourism industry. Because it happened in the beginning of the peak season and everyone left the state overnight after the attack.”
“But Kashmir is not empty and we have not come here in despair. We just want more people to visit Jammu and Kashmir. So don’t harbour any misunderstanding. Lakhs of people have already visited Kashmir for Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra and for Amarnath Yatra (after the Pahalgam attack),” he said.
He was here as part of the tourism promotion event organised by the Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK), apex body of tour operators of Kashmir.
According to an official press release, Omar Abdullah extended a warm invitation to travellers from across the country to come and explore the unparalleled beauty, rich culture and warm hospitality of Jammu & Kashmir.
Highlighting Jammu & Kashmir’s immense tourism potential, the Chief Minister said the region continues to offer diverse experiences for travellers throughout the year. He emphasized the growing tourism exchange between Gujarat and J&K and reiterated the government’s commitment to positioning Jammu & Kashmir as a vibrant, all-season destination.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Pahalgam Altaf Ahmad Wani and MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah. The event was also graced by the presence of Mulubhai Bera, Minister of Tourism, Government of Gujarat, who attended as the Guest of Honour.
Senior officers from the J&K Government were also present at the event, including Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Ministerand Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department, J&K. Officers of the Gujarat Government, Rajender Kumar, Secretary Tourism, Government of Gujarat, Prabhav Joshi, Commissioner of Tourism & MD, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited were also present.
Chief Minister J&K engaged with exhibitors from across the travel and tourism industry. He visited Exhibition Halls to interact with delegates and businesses showcasing their offerings.
During his visit to the Travel and Tourism Fair (TFF) Ahmedabad, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also called on Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar yesterday. The meeting focused on strengthening inter-state cooperation, promoting tourism, and exchanging best practices for inclusive development.
TTF Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s biggest travel trade show, shall see participation of over 900 exhibitors, more than 70 travel and tourism stakeholders from across J&K, and international representation from Sri Lanka. The event stands as a premier platform for B2B networking and tourism promotion.
The press release stated that Ahmedabad—one of India’s key hubs for domestic and outbound travel—along with its twin city Gandhinagar, sets the stage for the upcoming festive and winter travel season. The event is expected to draw over 12,500 trade professionals during its three-day run from July 31 to August 2, 2025.
The participation of Jammu & Kashmir Tourism at TTF Ahmedabad this year is impactful, showcasing the Union Territory’s immense tourism potential from adventure, pilgrimage, heritage, and off-beat destinations to film and golf tourism. The J&K pavilion is attracting widespread attention for its blend of tradition, scenic beauty, and new-age travel experiences, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich and diverse offerings of the region.
TTF Ahmedabad is hosting more than 25 Indian States and Union Territories. As Gujarat continues to position itself as a rising hub for business events and exhibitions, TTF Ahmedabad remains a key event for industry networking, partnership building, and business generation offering a unique platform for Jammu & Kashmir to engage with travel trade professionals and grow their tourism footprint across India and beyond.
Other senior officials who attended event included Sikha Surendran Director Kerala Tourism; Raja Yaqoob Director Tourism, Kashmir; Shreya Singhal MD JKTDC; Vikas Gupta Director Tourism Jammu; Kuldipsinh S. Jhala Joint Managing Director Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited along with several other dignitaries, travel industry leaders, and association heads.
