Srinagar, July 22 -- A record 2.35 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2024.

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in a written reply, said domestic tourist numbers shot up tenfold - from 25.19 lakh in 2020 to 2.35 crore in 2024. Foreign tourist arrivals also surged, jumping from just 5,317 in 2020 to 65,452 in 2024.

The Minister informed that under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, six major tourism projects worth 510.58 crore have been completed in J&K since 2016-17.

These projects cover popular destinations such as Jammu, Srinagar, Pahalgam, Leh, Kargil, Anantnag, Pulwama, Zanskar, Gulmarg, Baramullah, and Kupwara.

The minister has informed that the region now boasts better roads, modern tourist facilities, and enhance...