Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that all currently closed tourist destinations in the Union Territory are expected to reopen by May, alongside plans to introduce nine new tourist sites to diversify the region's tourism offerings.

Winding up the discussion on Demands for Grants, Abdullah reflected on the uphill battle his government faced following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack — a tragedy that many in the tourism industry feared would keep visitors away for years. The Chief Minister said his government worked "step by step" to restore confidence, and the results, he indicated, are now visible.

Beyond reopening shuttered sites, the government is actively working on introducing nine new tourist destinations to broaden J&K's appeal and reduce dependence on established hotspots. The move is aimed at distributing tourist footfall more evenly across the Union Territory while unlocking untapped potential in lesser-known areas.

Abdullah acknowledged that critical infrastructure gaps remain in marquee destinations — Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg — and reaffirmed the government's commitment to bridging them. On a more immediate note, he highlighted that several flagship projects are nearing completion, including the Jammu Lake development and the Jammu Riverfront — both expected to add significant draw for visitors to the Jammu region.