Himachal Pradesh’s tourism industry is witnessing a robust revival as tourists from across the northern plains flock to the hills to escape the intense summer heat. In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, many travelers have opted for safer hill destinations like Shimla, Manali, Kasauli, Dalhousie, Narkanda, and Kufri—causing hotel occupancy rates in these areas to surge between 60 and 90 per cent.
The long weekend brought a visible spike in footfall, with traffic jams stretching along the Kalka-Shimla highway from early Saturday morning. Shimla’s Mall Road and Ridge are bustling with tourists from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi. Those in search of snow are heading further up to Rohtang Pass, which continues to be a major draw.
According to Shimla hotelier B.R. Sharma, tourism in May took a severe hit due to India-Pakistan tensions and the subsequent terror incident in Kashmir, resulting in mass cancellations. However, with schools now closing for summer holidays in many plains states, the numbers are rising again.
"Himachal is seeing a renewed wave of tourists, and we’re hopeful this trend will sustain through the season," Sharma said. The recovery is evident, especially on weekends, when occupancy rates reach their peak.
Current hotel occupancy rates are:
• Shimla: 80–90%
•Kasauli: 85–90%
•Manali: 60–80%
•Dalhousie: 60–70%
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) MD Rajeev Kumar revealed that earlier this month, the state-run hotels suffered booking cancellations worth approximately ₹80 lakh due to the India-Pakistan tensions. “But now, the trend is reversing,” he added. “With the onset of school vacations and a drop in temperatures, tourists have returned.”
HPTDC GM Anil Taneja shared that occupancy in HPTDC hotels, which had dropped to 34 per cent earlier this season compared to 44 per cent last year, is now picking up steadily. “Besides popular tourist spots, religious destinations are also seeing good footfall,” he noted.
The heatwave sweeping across the plains has made the hills even more appealing. Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, Kufri, Narkanda, and Kasauli are currently enjoying pleasant weather, with daytime temperatures ranging between 12°C and 28°C. Recent rainfall has further cooled the region, creating the perfect ambiance for a peaceful retreat.
With tourism picking up and favorable weather conditions persisting, Himachal Pradesh looks set for a bustling and profitable summer season.
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