SHIMLA: The ongoing controversies surrounding tourism in Uttarakhand, coupled with boycott campaigns launched by some social media platforms and social organizations in Haryana, have begun directly impacting the tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh.
Major tourist hotspots in the state including Shimla, Manali, Kufri, Narkanda, Kasauli, Chail, Dharamshala, and Dalhousie are witnessing a massive surge in tourist footfall. Industry stakeholders note that a combination of scorching summer heat in the plains of North India and the recent disputes in Uttarakhand has led a vast number of travelers to prioritize Himachal Pradesh.
Hotel bookings for the weekend are nearly full in the state capital, Shimla, and the popular resort town of Manali. According to several hotel operators, advanced bookings in most establishments are secured until the final week of June, while inquiries continue to pour in for the first and second weeks of July. Tourism players expect the peak season to remain highly active until July 15, provided the monsoon rains do not gain early momentum.
A heavy rush of visitors is currently visible at Shimla’s Mall Road, Ridge, Kufri, and Narkanda. Similarly, vehicular movement has spiked significantly along the Manali, Solang Nala, Atal Tunnel, Sissu, and Rohtang routes, leading to heavy traffic pressure at multiple locations over the weekend.
According to a media report Gajendra Chand Thakur, President of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations, stated that the influx of tourists from Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan has picked up pace over the last few days. Amid the boycott messages circulating against Uttarakhand on social media, large numbers of families and youth groups are diverting their travel plans toward Himachal’s destinations. However, he emphasized that the primary draw remains Himachal’s pleasant weather and peaceful environment.
Echoing this positive outlook, Naveen Paul, President of the Travel Agents Association, remarked that while the tourism sector faced severe challenges in recent years due to the Covid pandemic, natural disasters, and weather disruptions, this season is shaping up to be relatively better, with hotel occupancy rising steadily.
Additionally, Rajinder Thakur, President of the All Himachal Commercial Vehicle Joint Action Committee, mentioned that if the weather remains favorable and no natural obstacles occur, the state’s tourism business will reap benefits for at least another month.
Concerns over tourist rowdiness emerge in Himachal
Similar to the situation in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh has also seen recent instances of unruly behavior by certain tourists, particularly youth from Punjab. Incidents involving rowdiness, speeding, drunken brawls, and altercations with locals have surfaced in recent months, requiring police intervention, hefty fines, and arrests.
While the vast majority of tourists comply with local laws, these isolated incidents have triggered a fresh debate regarding law and order and the need for responsible tourism at popular destinations.
