Shimla Sees Surge in Tourist Arrivals During Summer Season
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Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, has witnessed a significant increase in tourist footfall this weekend, marking the peak of the summer season. Hotels in the capital are reporting up to 70% of their rooms booked on Saturday, a remarkable uptick compared to the previous week.
The surge in visitors is attributed to the summer vacations in schools in Delhi and Rajasthan, as well as the rising temperatures in the plains, prompting many to seek the cool climate of Shimla. Arun Kumar, the head of the Photographers Union, mentioned that weekends usually bring good business for them, reflecting the bustling tourist activity.
Apart from Shimla, the nearby town of Kufri has also seen a substantial influx of tourists. Dinesh Bharadwaj, head of the Kufri Horse Union, expressed optimism about a significant boost in their business due to the higher number of tourists expected over the weekend.
The increase in tourist arrivals has brought joy to small businesses such as horse owners, taxi drivers, and photographers, who are witnessing a surge in demand for their services.
Prince Kukreja, the Vice President of the Shimla Hotel Association, revealed that 70% of the hotels in Shimla have already been booked this week, indicating a robust summer season.
Manu Sood, the General Secretary of the Travel Agency Association, stated that a large number of tourists have arrived in Shimla over the weekend, leading to 70% hotel bookings in the capital. However, smaller hotels are experiencing a decrease in bookings, mainly due to the convenience of online booking options available in larger hotels.
The influx of tourists has not only boosted the tourism industry but has also brought relief to the local economy, particularly benefiting small businesses that cater to tourists’ needs.
