Foreign tourists give a miss to Himalayan mountains
Manali
Decrease in number of foreign trekkers on famous
trekking routes of Himachal is pinching the tourism industry of the state this
season. Despite peak trekking season, most of the routes are wearing deserted
look and cancellations of tours are continuing for coming months.
Trekking
Trekking in Himachal Pradesh, India
After slowdown in domestic tourism, very few tourists from abroad are daring to visit
mountainous regions in north India. Main reason is again the recent devastation
in Uttarakhand and Kinnaur and suspension of flights to Shimla and Kullu till September 15. Rumors of landslides, rigorous monsoon and dozens
of cloudbursts in Himachal is another reason that tourists from abroad are
concerned about their safety and preferring cancellation of their Himachal visit. According to travel agents, dozens of cancellations are taking place
every day.
Spiti circuit of
Himachal, which is famous among foreign tourists, is most affected by sharp
drop in tourists this year. Bhaba pass trek, Kanamo peak trek, Prang La treks,
Pangpo, Pin Valley and Sara Umga pass are the popular treks to Spiti valley
among foreign trekkers. But all these routes are craving for guests from
abroad.
“There is no
particular reason behind drop in arrival of tourists from abroad but we have
bunch full of reasons. International media presented cloudbursts and floods in
some parts of India in a way that visiting hills is not less than jumping into
hell,” managing director of Himalayan Caravan Adventure, Ravi Thakur, said.
According to him, very few tourists have reached Himachal this year and several
jeep safari and bike tours on Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti have already been cancelled.
“Very few trekking expeditions we have got this year,” he adds.
4.8 lakh foreign
tourists visited Himachal last year and 1.4 lakh foreigners visited Kullu
district alone. July to September is the time when thousands of foreign
tourists visit Himachal – mostly for trekking, bike and jeep safari, others for
leisure, historical and cultural tours. Kasol, Manikaran, Old Manali and
Vashisht are the main destinations where foreigners prefer staying in. But very
few foreigners are being spotted in these locations.
“Most of the
cancellations are happening at last moment as tourists are keeping track on
weather conditions,” a trekking guide in Kasol, Sunil Kumar, said, adding that
his customers are afraid of cloudbursts and floods. “Though trekkers have
nothing to do with blockade of roads, but they are still concerned about floods
and cloudbursts and also if aggressive monsoon would spoil their tour,” he
said.

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