Himachal records over three-time increase in tourist footfall after Covid-induced lull

Tourism in the hill state has picked up pace after a Covid-induced lull with footfall surging over three times this year till October 31 compared to the corresponding year-ago period.
According to data procured from the Tourism department, Himachal Pradesh witnessed the arrival of 1.28 crore tourists, including 28,232 foreigners, between January 1 and October 31.
Manali Hoteliers' Association chief Mukesh Thakur said the Atal Tunnel -- the new gateway to Lahaul and Spiti -- had drastically increased tourist footfall.
The tourist rush is picking up and Manali will be packed to capacity from December 20 till January 10, he said, adding the winter carnival starting from January 2 was another sought-after event.
Snowfall being a big attraction, gondolas in Solang, igloo stays in Hamta, winter sports in and around Manali, skiing and snowboarding courses offered by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in Manali catch the attention of travellers, he added.
Pranav, a tourist, said, "We came to see the Atal Tunnel but were swayed to visit Sissu after crossing it. It was like entering a different world -- so calm and beautiful." The tourism and allied industry suffered immense losses during the pandemic and tourist inflow dropped 81 per cent on year in 2020. The tourist arrival, which drew 1.72 crore people in 2019, crashed to 32.13 lakh in 2020 before marginally recovering to 56.37 lakh in 2021.
Dharamsala, the abode of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, is a popular tourist location while Shimla, with its British architecture, is famous as the "Queen of the hills", and Kullu-Manali is known for snow and adventure sports.
There is perennial flow of tourists to the "Shakti peeths" in Kangra, Bilaspur, Una, Simaur and Mandi, known as "Chhoti Kashi" for the ancient Shiva temples. Foreign tourists and adventure lovers are attracted to the virgin areas of Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and Chamba.