Published Paper Details:

ABSTRACT Jammu and Kashmir State has a greater potential to become a major tourist destination in the world. The role of tourism in the economic development of J&K state has been an area of immense interest from policy perspective. To understand the economic impact of tourism in the J&K state, present paper tries to examine various parameters of economic development such as tourist inflow, employment generation, State Gross Domestic Product, development of infrastructure and regional development. The study is based on secondary data. Data has been collected from various sources like Ministry of Tourism Government of India, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation and Directorate of Tourism, Annual Economic survey of J&K, United Nations World Tourism Organization, World Travel and Tourism Council and other published research papers and official reports. We found apart from agriculture sector, tourism sector is the most popular source of income and employment generation for the J&K state economy In the recent past, tourism industry has witnessed a tremendous surge worldwide and has become an integral part of human leisure and expedition, thus contributing to the growing global economy. Kashmir has often been compared with heaven on earth. It is most attractive destination for tourists not only in India but all over the world because of lush green valley, pleasant climate, Snow-capped Mountains, sweat springs, green meadows. While as places like Gulmarg, Phalgam, Dal Lake, Wular Lake are worth seeing tourist spots in the valley. Besides these, Shri Mata Vashino Devi, Amar Mahal place, Ragunath Temple are most attractive tourist's destination in Jammu region. Ladakh is no less important when it comes to the question of Tourism in J&K. Tourism tag has always placed state of J&K in the limelight of national as well as international scene. Efforts have been made to increase arrival of tourists in the state. However, state has witnessed ups & downs in the last thirty years of turmoil. The start of armed struggle in mid-80's created the sense of fear both within the state as well outside. The state saw worst days in its history and tourism industry was greatly harmed by both armed struggle as well as by counter operations by security forces. There was hardly any tourist who would visit the state particularly valley of Kashmir once lauded as heaven on earth. However, it was only in recent last decade when state saw its revival phenomena of tourist industry. But with the growing violence and turmoil in the Kashmir since 2015 once again have put this industry in backseats. In this background this paper will examine the phenomenal increase and decrease of tourists in the time of turmoil and peace in Jammu& Kashmir. Besides, paper will also try to examine the impact of tourism in shaping the peace and prosperity of the state.