Hope of white Christmas, New Year luring tourists to Himachal as Shimla, Manali, other towns see heavy hotel bookings
The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: As the holiday season approaches, Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a significant upswing in tourism, with travellers from across India and around the world flocking to the picturesque destinations in search of snow. The anticipation of a white Christmas and New Year is luring visitors to the charming locales of Shimla, Manali, Kasauli, Chail, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti.
In response to the surge in demand, hotels in popular tourist spots are experiencing a surge in advance bookings. According to reports, Shimla has seen a 15 to 20 per cent increase in advance bookings, while Manali is witnessing a substantial 25 to 30 per cent, and Kasauli-Chail and Dharamshala are not far behind with 10 to 12 per cent. Both the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and private hotel operators are enticing tourists with attractive packages to make the most of the festive season.
The tourism sector, which faced setbacks due to recent natural disasters, is now on the path to recovery, thanks to snowfall in high-altitude regions. Enthusiastic tourists are thronging Manali, Sissu and the Rohtang Tunnel to revel in the winter wonderland.
Anil Chandel, the owner of Hotel Rocky Knob at Sanjauli in Shimla, expressed optimism, stating that the momentum in tourism business is evident, attributing it to the recent snowfall. Gaurav Thakur, a travel agent, anticipates a bumper crowd of tourists in the state for New Year’s celebrations, marking a positive turn of events after a prolonged slowdown.
To cater to the festive crowd, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has rolled out special packages for Christmas and New Year at various hotels, including Hotel Holiday Home, The Chail Palace, Hotel Hatu Narkanda, Barog The Pinewood, Hotel Manimahesh, Dharamshala Complex, Hotel New Rose Common in Kasauli, Hotel T Bud in Palampur, and Hotel Meghdoot in Kyarighat. The offerings include not only comfortable stays but also entertainment with DJ music and various competitions with exciting prizes.
In addition, the Tourism Development Corporation has resumed its Volvo services between Manali and Delhi, providing a convenient travel option for tourists. The advanced bookings for the entire bus on the Manali-Delhi route from December 21-22 indicate a promising start to the winter tourism season.
