Ladakh Tourism Bodies Praise Government Push, Hopeful of a Stronger 2026 Season

Ladakh | 21 Feb 2026 Tourism stakeholders in Ladakh have welcomed the sustained efforts of the Tourism Department in strengthening branding, promotion and policy reforms, expressing confidence that these steps will lead to a much stronger tourism season in 2026. Leading associations said the close coordination between the administration and industry players is creating a positive outlook for the region’s tourism revival. Representatives of the All Ladakh Hotel & Guest House Association (ALHAGHA) and the All Ladakh Adventure & Tour Operators Association (ALATOA) reiterated their commitment to working with the administration to ensure tourism grows in a responsible, inclusive and sustainable manner. The sector had suffered a major setback following the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year, with Ladakh witnessing a sharp decline in visitor numbers. The fragile recovery was further hit by violence in Leh in September, making support from the government crucial for the industry’s survival. Association leaders Rigzin Wangmo Lachic, Tsewang Namgyal and Nawang Tashi recently met senior tourism officials to formally thank the department for addressing long-standing concerns and remaining responsive to stakeholder feedback. They especially appreciated the launch of the Ladakh Tourism logo, calling it a long-pending step after the region became a Union Territory in 2019. The associations said they hope the wider branding exercise will be completed soon to further strengthen Ladakh’s identity as a global destination. The tourism bodies also praised the department for significantly improving Ladakh’s presence at major national travel marts, including securing a 200 square metre pavilion — the largest space allotted to the region so far. Calling it a major milestone, they said, “This expanded platform will translate into stronger visibility and positive results in the upcoming tourism seasons.” They also thanked the department for facilitating participation at ITB Berlin and welcomed efforts to simplify registration processes for tourism businesses, saying the move will make compliance easier for local stakeholders and support long-term growth. Ladakh Tourism Bodies Praise Government Push, Hopeful of a Stronger 2026 Season Tourism stakeholders in Ladakh have welcomed the sustained efforts of the Tourism Department in strengthening branding, promotion and policy reforms, expressing confidence that these steps will lead to a much stronger tourism season in 2026. Leading associations said the close coordination between the administration and industry players is creating a positive outlook for the region’s tourism revival. Representatives of the All Ladakh Hotel & Guest House Association (ALHAGHA) and the All Ladakh Adventure & Tour Operators Association (ALATOA) reiterated their commitment to working with the administration to ensure tourism grows in a responsible, inclusive and sustainable manner. The sector had suffered a major setback following the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year, with Ladakh witnessing a sharp decline in visitor numbers. The fragile recovery was further hit by violence in Leh in September, making support from the government crucial for the industry’s survival. Association leaders Rigzin Wangmo Lachic, Tsewang Namgyal and Nawang Tashi recently met senior tourism officials to formally thank the department for addressing long-standing concerns and remaining responsive to stakeholder feedback. They especially appreciated the launch of the Ladakh Tourism logo, calling it a long-pending step after the region became a Union Territory in 2019. The associations said they hope the wider branding exercise will be completed soon to further strengthen Ladakh’s identity as a global destination. The tourism bodies also praised the department for significantly improving Ladakh’s presence at major national travel marts, including securing a 200 square metre pavilion — the largest space allotted to the region so far. Calling it a major milestone, they said, “This expanded platform will translate into stronger visibility and positive results in the upcoming tourism seasons.” They also thanked the department for facilitating participation at ITB Berlin and welcomed efforts to simplify registration processes for tourism businesses, saying the move will make compliance easier for local stakeholders and support long-term growth.