New Year Celebration: A large number of tourists are arriving in Manali in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, leading to heavy road jams on Saturday. Although tourists started arriving on December 24, a day before Christmas, thousands of vehicles entered the district to celebrate the new year and enjoy the snowfall. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there will be snowfall in six districts of the state in the coming days.
Why is a huge crowd of tourists being seen in Manali?
It is noteworthy that the district is located at a high altitude and is known as the “Himalayan Sahara City”. It has a reputation as a backpacking center and honeymoon destination. Apart from this, people also reach here for skiing in Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati Valley. It is also the jumping off point for paragliding, rafting and mountaineering in the Pir Panjal Mountains, which are home to the 4,000-metre-high Rohtang Pass. According to media reports, this year Manali has recorded the highest footfall ever before the new year.
Earlier, due to the closure of roads in the winter season, fewer tourists used to visit the district. However, after the inauguration of the two-lane Atal Tunnel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has reduced the distance between Manali and Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti, by 46 km, reducing the travel time by almost three hours. It has also ensured all-weather connectivity.
According to the state tourism department, more than 20,000 tourists travel through the Atal Tunnel every day during the peak tourist season and tourism, including skiing, trekking and paragliding, is a major source of income for the locals.
all hotels are booked
Members of the hospitality industry told IANS that almost 95 per cent occupancy was being seen in most hotels across the state. An official of the state tourism department has advised tourists to get advance booking of hotels or homestay units before travelling.
By the evening of December 31, he said, occupancy could reach 100 per cent, a record business after two of the toughest years the travel industry has seen. Nand Lal, manager of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), who is posted at the Holiday Home hotel, said, “We are expecting to see a good business this weekend and also see an influx of tourist arrivals and booking inquiries next week.” Have been.” Here, told the news agency.
(with inputs from agencies)