Tourists return to Ladakh in big numbers, arrivals jump 44%

A year after floods washed away key highways to Ladakh, political unrest cast a shadow over the tourism season and the Pahalgam terror attack rattled traveller confidence across the region, Ladakh’s tourism industry is witnessing an extraordinary rebound. The Union Territory has registered a 43.65 per cent increase in tourist arrivals between January and May this year, signalling one of the strongest recoveries in its tourism sector in recent years.

The Union Territory has reported a sharp rise in tourist arrivals during the first five months of the year, signalling renewed confidence among travellers and providing a major boost to the local economy that is heavily dependent on tourism.

According to official data, 1,17,546 tourists visited Ladakh between January and May this year, compared to 81,827 during the corresponding period in 2025, registering a growth of 43.65 per cent.

The encouraging figures come after a difficult phase for the tourism sector. Last year, severe floods in Jammu and Kashmir and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh repeatedly disrupted road connectivity to Ladakh, affecting travel plans during the peak season. The situation was further complicated by a prolonged agitation in the region that turned violent, resulting in the deaths of four people in police firing. More recently, the Pahalgam terror attack had also raised concerns about its possible impact on tourist movement across the Himalayan region.

Despite these setbacks, visitor numbers have surged this year, with May emerging as the strongest month on record. Tourist arrivals during the month reached 72,834, more than double the 32,927 recorded in May 2025, representing a growth of over 121 per cent.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena described the increase as a milestone for Ladakh’s tourism sector and credited the administration’s sustained efforts to improve infrastructure, strengthen connectivity and diversify tourism offerings for the remarkable turnaround.

Officials said domestic tourists accounted for the bulk of the increase. The number of Indian visitors rose from 75,801 last year to 1,10,585 this year, an increase of nearly 46 per cent. Foreign tourist arrivals also showed positive growth, climbing from 6,026 to 6,961 visitors.

Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said the latest figures reflected Ladakh’s growing reputation among travellers and the success of targeted tourism promotion campaigns. He said the administration would continue focusing on sustainable and year-round tourism development.

The data indicates that Ladakh is attracting visitors from a broader international base. Thailand, Vietnam and the United States emerged as the leading overseas markets, while countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and France continued to contribute significant visitor numbers. Tourist arrivals were also recorded from Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Australia, Israel, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Taiwan.

Officials noted that the region’s tourism growth has been consistent over the last two years. Compared to 51,520 arrivals during the January-May period of 2024, visitor numbers this year have increased by nearly 128 per cent.

The administration attributes the surge to an extensive tourism outreach programme that included participation in national and international travel marts, strategic branding initiatives and digital campaigns under the “Destination Ladakh” banner.

Another major draw this season was the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha, which attracted thousands of pilgrims and visitors from different parts of India and abroad.

Tourism authorities also highlighted the success of events such as the Apricot Blossom Festival and Astro Tourism Week, which have helped position Ladakh as an all-season destination offering cultural, spiritual, adventure and experiential tourism opportunities beyond the traditional summer months.