Tourism Revive In Hill Stations of Himachal Pradesh after the Conclusion of Monsoon

Manali: The monsoon affected tourism industry in hill stations across Himachal Pradesh is gradually coming back to normality as the monsoon clouds that were hovering over the mountain regions have slowly started

to disappear and domestic as well as international tourists have started to visit the hill stations of this region without much apprehension. 

Though tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh incurred high losses worth crores of rupees due to the wreckage caused by the heavy rain, particularly in Kinnaur district, but now the scenario is changing very fast. Hotels in Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie and Dharamshala are receiving good number of advance bookings for October and November festive seasons, also that the advance booking is going on for December to February for vacations during winters.

Owner of Hotel Vyas Vatika, Rakesh Thakur said, “After enduring two terrible months, advance bookings for the festive season have brought some uniformity to our business.” He added that most of the bookings are coming from West Bengal and Maharashtra. "Still the very first question they are asking is associated to weather and road conditions. Visitors are affirming their bookings only after ensuring their security from various sources."

Honeymoon season in this northern state initiates in December and lasts till February. Large number of newlywed couples had visited Himachal for honeymoon in the previous season and hoteliers are expecting even better outcome this year. "Huge bookings are coming in from honeymoon couples and room occupancy is rising in a gradual rate. It seems, tourism in the hills is reviving back to its normalcy," said Ankush Bhardwaj, a general manager of Hotel Sunpark Resorts.

Resumption of flights to Kullu has been another big factor of relief for tourism industry in the state. From September 16, Air India has resumed its daily flight service in this region. In order to drive more tourists, hotels are putting up 50% exemption on all services. One of the hoteliers, Chandra Sharma has said that 40% rebate would be offered on the booking of rooms till Christmas and New Year week.

In the meantime, pleased after receiving a relief from the Supreme Court’s order to cancel the state high court’s order to place a prohibition on vehicles older than four years, plying on the Manali to Rohtang route and HP government's judgment of not building ropeway to Rohtang Pass, Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union has planned not to raise the taxi fares. Puran Chand, the president of the union, said, "Till now we are charging two year old fares from visitors. Even after incurring losses this monsoon season, we will not raise the fares until it becomes completely essential."

Ref: timesofindia