Despite having bedding capacity of more than 25,000, which is more than that in Delhi, tourists visiting Manali this summer may have to struggle a lot to get a room as over 50 per cent rooms have already been sold for May and June, while remaining rooms are likely to be reserved soon, sources said.
With over 32
lakh tourists visiting Manali in 2012, the tourist town witnessed an increase
of 15% only in a year. In 2010, 25.29 lakh tourists visited Manali and the
number increased to 27.98 lakh in 2011. Number of tourists is expected to cross
milestone of 35 lakh this year. Manali has over 800 hotels, resorts, guest houses
and homestay units, and all have been flooded with thousands of booking
enquiries for summer. Even the April month is expected to see big crowd and
many hotels have full occupancy after April 20.
lakh tourists visiting Manali in 2012, the tourist town witnessed an increase
of 15% only in a year. In 2010, 25.29 lakh tourists visited Manali and the
number increased to 27.98 lakh in 2011. Number of tourists is expected to cross
milestone of 35 lakh this year. Manali has over 800 hotels, resorts, guest houses
and homestay units, and all have been flooded with thousands of booking
enquiries for summer. Even the April month is expected to see big crowd and
many hotels have full occupancy after April 20.
“Almost all good
hotels are booked for most of the days in May and June. Even March end was
fully occupied. Seems like summer tourist season is going to start earlier than
usual and Manali is going to set another record in tourists’ arrival,” owner of
hotel Beas Vatika Rakesh Thakur said. He said February and March months, which
are believed to be off-season, also kept cheering hoteliers with constant flow
of tourists.
hotels are booked for most of the days in May and June. Even March end was
fully occupied. Seems like summer tourist season is going to start earlier than
usual and Manali is going to set another record in tourists’ arrival,” owner of
hotel Beas Vatika Rakesh Thakur said. He said February and March months, which
are believed to be off-season, also kept cheering hoteliers with constant flow
of tourists.
According to
hoteliers, tourists from Kashmir are diverting to Himachal and all parts of the
state would be crowded with tourists very soon. Another hotelier, Surendra
Shekhawat, said, advance booking rate is very high this year as compare to the
previous years. “The trend of online booking has led to selling out of all good
hotels many months in advance. The only negative point is that those who do not
believe in advance booking struggle to find rooms after their arrival. This
year all hoteliers are certainly going to mint good money,” he said.
hoteliers, tourists from Kashmir are diverting to Himachal and all parts of the
state would be crowded with tourists very soon. Another hotelier, Surendra
Shekhawat, said, advance booking rate is very high this year as compare to the
previous years. “The trend of online booking has led to selling out of all good
hotels many months in advance. The only negative point is that those who do not
believe in advance booking struggle to find rooms after their arrival. This
year all hoteliers are certainly going to mint good money,” he said.
The unexpectedly
high rush of tourists is causing frequent traffic jams in Manali and its
tourist spots including Solang and Hadimba temple. Parking is another problem
that tourists are facing here. Kullu police is going to depute 40 more
personnel to regulate the traffic from April 20, a police source said.
high rush of tourists is causing frequent traffic jams in Manali and its
tourist spots including Solang and Hadimba temple. Parking is another problem
that tourists are facing here. Kullu police is going to depute 40 more
personnel to regulate the traffic from April 20, a police source said.
According to
data from Himachal tourism department, nearly 10 lakh domestic and overseas tourists
visited Manali in 2001. The figure has increased by over 200% only in 12 years.
data from Himachal tourism department, nearly 10 lakh domestic and overseas tourists
visited Manali in 2001. The figure has increased by over 200% only in 12 years.
Cheering Data
Year – No of tourists visiting Manali
2001: 10 lakh
2002: 11 lakh
2003: 13 lakh
2004: 15 lakh
2005: 17 lakh
2006: 19 lakh
2007: 20 lakh
2008: 21 lakh
2009: 23.5 lakh
2010: 25.29 lakh
2011: 27.98 lakh
2012: 32 lakh
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