Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday, 10 May said that golf tourism in Kashmir is receiving a major push, with several national-level golfing events planned for the region this year. Speaking after inaugurating the India Golf Carnival 2026 at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar, Abdullah asserted that Kashmir's golf courses rank among the finest in the country and that the government is committed to positioning the valley as a premier golfing destination.

What the Chief Minister Said

Abdullah highlighted Kashmir's deep-rooted association with the sport, pointing to world-class courses across the region. "Kashmir has a very old relationship with golf. If you look at the most beautiful golf courses in the country, Kashmir's courses in Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam can easily be counted among them," he said.

He added that the government is simultaneously focused on nurturing local talent and using golf as a vehicle for broader tourism growth. "This tournament is another step towards promoting golf in Kashmir. We want to encourage our local golfers and also inspire a new generation of young players to take up the sport," Abdullah said.

India Golf Carnival 2026: Key Highlights

The India Golf Carnival 2026 drew more than 100 golfers, including participants from several parts of the country, reflecting Kashmir's growing appeal as a golfing destination. The event was held at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar, widely regarded as one of the most scenic golf venues in South Asia.

Notably, Abdullah pointed out that golfers from outside Jammu & Kashmir have increasingly begun visiting Srinagar during long weekends specifically to play golf — a trend the government hopes to accelerate. "In North India, whenever there is a long weekend, many golfers are now coming to Srinagar just to play golf. We hope tourism will definitely benefit from this trend," he said.

Government's Broader Tourism Strategy

The Chief Minister said the government, in coordination with tourism authorities and event organisers, is planning more golfing events in the future to place Kashmir prominently on both the national and global golfing map. The push for golf tourism is part of a wider effort to diversify Jammu & Kashmir's tourism offerings beyond traditional pilgrimage and leisure travel.

"Our aim is to organise as many events as possible so that both local golfers and golfers from outside Kashmir can come together and play here. We want to keep our golf courses at par with the best in the country," Abdullah added.

What This Means for Kashmir Tourism

This comes amid a broader government drive to revitalise Kashmir's economy through sports and adventure tourism. Golf, with its year-round appeal and high-spending visitor profile, is seen as a strategic segment that can attract domestic and international tourists alike. The Gulmarg and Pahalgam courses, in particular, have long been recognised for their scenic grandeur, and increased event activity is expected to raise their international profile. With more national-level tournaments in the pipeline, Kashmir's emergence as a serious golfing hub appears to be gaining institutional momentum.