Leh's economy is deeply rooted in tourism, traditional agriculture, and the retail of regional handicrafts. The city serves as the commercial hub for the broader Ladakh region.
* **Tourism and Hospitality:** The primary economic driver, encompassing hundreds of local tour operators, boutique hotels, homestays, and trekking agencies. * **The Main Bazaar:** A vibrant commercial artery dating back to the Silk Route era. Today, it thrives with shops selling authentic Pashmina (cashmere) shawls, Tibetan silver jewelry, traditional Thangka paintings, and trekking gear. * **Agriculture & Local Produce:** Small-scale enterprises and cooperatives focus on regional products like apricots, apples, and nutrient-dense sea buckthorn berries, which are processed into juices and jams. * **Sustainable Startups:** A growing movement of eco-conscious businesses, such as Dzomsa, promote zero-waste living, safe drinking water refills, and locally sourced organic products.
