Fresh snowfall in Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie seems to have worked well for tourism industry as hoteliers and
travel agents have flooded with inquiries regarding winter holiday tours in February which is termed as off-season month in Himachal. Hotel occupancy is also likely to double during Republic Day and ODI cricket match in Dharamshala.
tourists from Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi, most of the tourists are
from southern Indian states. Despite troubling surface transport due to heavy
snowfall, good flow of tourists in this season has cheered the tourism
industry, which is the main source of income for thousands of people here. According
to sources, three to five groups from various schools and colleges are reaching
Manali every day, besides hundreds of honeymooners.
Mehar Chand Thakur, owner of Holiday Cottages and Resorts
Manali, said February is going to be fantastic in terms of tourism and
their phones are continuously ringing with inquiries and status of snow from
tourists. “Snow is the foundation of tourism in Manali. Heavy snowfall has rejuvenated our tourism. It’s the party time
as both hoteliers and tourists are happy,” he said.
season in Himachal as tourists spots like Gulaba, Marhi and Rohtang pass have several feet of snow
where tourists can enjoy in summer months. Rohtang being the only tourist spot
of the country where tourists can find snow round the year, it is the place
which decides the economy of Manali and even other tourist towns of Himachal. Currently,
Rohtang has over 15 feet of snow which may increase up to 60 feet till end of
March.
Gajender Thakur, owner of hotel Shandela, said though the unexpectedly heavy snowfall brings with it many problems but it is also true that snowfall has proved boon for tourism industry of the state. “Thousands
of tourists are on way to see the heaps of snow spread over Manali, Shimla and
Dalhousie. Worry lines have finished now as good snow has ensured merry time.”
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