The upcoming 2026 Khelo India Winter Games has infused fresh optimism into the tourism industry of the Kashmir Valley, with strong participation expected from states and union territories across India. Local tourism stakeholders anticipate a significant rise in visitor numbers as the event approaches.
According to officials, tourism in Kashmir is set to witness a major boost due to the central government’s focus on linking sports with tourism under the ‘Khelo Bharat Niti’. The snow events of the sixth edition of the Games will be held in Gulmarg from February 23 to 26 and are being organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Tourism department officials have reported a noticeable surge in tourist arrivals ahead of the Games, with hotels and guest houses witnessing brisk bookings. “Tourist inflow has picked up significantly after the New Year and in the run-up to the Winter Games,” an official said, noting that final first-quarter figures will be available after March 31.
Kashmir had experienced a sharp decline in tourist arrivals in 2025 following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, with nearly a 55 per cent dip compared to the previous year.
However, officials state that arrivals this year have already surpassed last year’s numbers even before the end of the first quarter.
This year, Gulmarg will host four medal events — ski mountaineering, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing (cross-country) and snowboarding — with participation expected from India’s top skiers, including Winter Olympians. Since its inception in 2020, the Games have seen steady growth in participation, reflecting increasing competitiveness and interest in winter sports nationwide.
