Ladakh Records Double Foreign Tourist Arrivals In June With Israelis Leading List

Foreign tourist arrivals in the Union Territory of Ladakh nearly doubled in June 2026, with Israeli nationals emerging as the largest group among international visitors, according to data released by the Ladakh administration. The rise highlights the region’s growing appeal among global travellers seeking adventure, high-altitude landscapes and unique cultural experiences.

Official figures showed that foreign tourist arrivals increased from 3,349 in June 2025 to 6,680 in June 2026, registering a growth of 99.46 per cent. Overall tourist footfall in Ladakh also witnessed a significant rise, reaching 1,07,740 visitors in June 2026 compared with 75,089 during the same month last year, marking a 43.48 per cent increase.

Israeli tourists accounted for the highest number of foreign visitors during the period, followed by travellers from Thailand, the United States, Vietnam, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Taiwan, Russia, Italy, South Korea, Spain and other European and Southeast Asian countries. The administration said the increasing presence of international visitors reflects Ladakh’s expanding position on the global tourism map.

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During the first six months of 2026, Ladakh recorded a total of 2,25,286 tourist arrivals, including 2,11,645 domestic visitors and 13,641 foreign tourists. Authorities said efforts are underway to promote tourism throughout the year by expanding beyond the traditional summer travel season and encouraging activities such as winter tourism, adventure tourism, trekking, wildlife tourism, rural tourism, wellness tourism, cultural tourism, spiritual tourism and astro-tourism.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said the latest tourism figures demonstrate rising confidence among travellers and reflect the administration’s efforts to establish Ladakh as a sustainable, year-round destination. He added that tourism continues to play a major role in the region’s economy by supporting thousands of people involved in hospitality, transportation, handicrafts and other related sectors.

Saxena also highlighted infrastructure development and initiatives promoting domestic tourism as key factors behind the growth in visitor numbers. He said the increase in arrivals is creating fresh economic opportunities for hoteliers, homestay operators, tour organisers, transport workers, trekking guides, artisans and local entrepreneurs while maintaining focus on environmentally responsible tourism development.

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