Chandigarh, December 24:
A large number of tourists are heading to Himachal Pradesh to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Popular destinations like Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kufri, Narkanda, and Kasauli have been witnessing heavy crowds since the weekend. Hotel bookings in Shimla have reached 80%, while in Manali and Dharamshala, they stand at 70%. Meanwhile, Kasauli has seen 90% of its hotel rooms booked during the weekend.
Rise in Tourist Numbers Due to Snowfall Predictions
The Meteorological Department has predicted snowfall on December 27 and 28, leading to a surge in tourist arrivals. Visitors from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and other states are traveling to Himachal to celebrate the festive season. The influx of tourists in Shimla has caused severe traffic jams, particularly on Cart Road, where congestion has been persistent for the past two days.
Following snowfall in Rohtang, Manali has also seen a significant increase in tourist footfall. This growing crowd has brought cheer to the tourism industry, with business owners hopeful that the influx will continue until the first week of January.
Winter Carnival Begins on December 24
Shimla’s Ridge is hosting its first-ever Winter Carnival, which began on December 24. A highlight of the event is the selection of the “Winter Queen.” The carnival has sparked excitement among both tourists and locals alike.
The president of the Himachal Hotel and Restaurants Association, Gajendra Singh Thakur, noted that a significant number of tourists have already arrived at various destinations in the state over the weekend. He added that if the snowfall forecast proves accurate, Himachal could witness a record number of visitors celebrating the New Year.
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