Leh: Ladakh recorded a sharp increase in tourist arrivals during the first five months of 2026, with more than 1.17 lakh visitors arriving in the Union Territory between January and May, Lieutenant Governor B. D. Mishra said on Saturday.
According to official figures, Ladakh received 1,17,546 tourists during the January-May period this year, compared to 81,827 visitors during the corresponding period in 2025, registering a growth of 43.65 percent.
The month of May alone witnessed 72,834 tourist arrivals, a rise of 121.20 percent over the 32,927 visitors recorded during the same month last year.
The Lieutenant Governor attributed the surge to sustained efforts aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure, improving connectivity and diversifying tourism experiences across the region. He also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to promote domestic tourism for contributing to the increase in visitor numbers.
Describing May 2026 as a landmark month for the tourism sector, Mishra said the growth has generated renewed optimism among tourism stakeholders and reinforced Ladakh’s position as a major travel destination.
He thanked tourists for choosing Ladakh and invited visitors from across the country to experience the region’s natural beauty, adventure tourism, culture, spirituality and unique landscape.
Tourism remains one of Ladakh’s key economic sectors, with the latest figures indicating continued growth in visitor arrivals across the Union Territory. (KNT)
