Tourism Picks Up in Himachal Ahead of Diwali, Surge in Hotel Bookings
As the Diwali holidays approach, tourism in Himachal Pradesh is seeing a significant revival. Popular destinations like Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Chail, and Kasauli are bustling with tourists. Thousands of visitors from the plains are heading to the hills for the festive weekend.
Hotel advance bookings have also surged notably. Nearly 30% of rooms in major hotels are already booked for the Diwali period. Smaller hotels and homestays are also witnessing a steady rise in inquiries. By Diwali, hotel occupancy is expected to reach 50 to 60%.
Weekend occupancy in Shimla and Manali has already reached between 40% to 60%. In Kasauli and Chail, bookings are even higher — ranging from 70% to 80%. Dharamshala is also seeing occupancy levels above 40%. Tourist footfall was particularly high on Sunday at popular spots like Shimla’s and Manali’s Mall Roads, and McLeodganj in Dharamshala.
High Hopes for the Winter Season
According to Gajendra Chand Thakur, President of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations, the festival season has brought much-needed relief to the tourism sector after a slow monsoon period. With snowfall already beginning in higher regions, expectations are high for a strong and busy winter season ahead.
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