New Year 2023 in Himachal Pradesh: Defying COVID-19 protocols amid fears of the new Omicron variant, Himachal Pradesh’s popular tourist resorts of Shimla, Narkanda, Dharamshala, Kalpa, Manali, Dalhousie and other places thronged with tourists, the highest number of tourists in history. more arrivals. To usher in the New Year with carnival and music amidst a snowy landscape.
After a day’s snowfall in Manali, Kalpa and higher reaches, making them more picturesque, the weather office in Shimla on Saturday (December 31) predicted that the sun will shine across the state till January 5, 2023 (Thursday). But the current minimum temperature will be below zero at most places and dense fog is likely in the lower hills.
Members of the hospitality industry told the media that near 95 per cent occupancy was being witnessed in most of the hotels across the state. An official of the state tourism department has advised tourists to get advance booking of hotel or homestay unit before travelling. He added that occupancy could reach 100 per cent by the evening of December 31, a record business after two of the most difficult 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.” Told the media here.
Following snowfall in Kothi and Solang Valley, the Kullu police have advised motorists not to go beyond Nehru Kund, 7 km from Manali town, on December 31 as the road ahead is slippery.
A police officer said, “We are advising motorists, especially tourists, to park their vehicles at the parking lot in Solang and walk to nearby places.”
Tourists stranded in Atal Tunnel:
On 29 December, tourists in about 100 vehicles were stranded overnight in the 9.02 km long horseshoe-shaped Atal tunnel, the world’s longest motorable tunnel, following the onset of heavy snowfall in the region. The local administration had a tough time rescuing them, most of them tourists who were lounging and clicking selfies amid the snowy landscape.
With easy access to the picturesque Lahaul Valley, the two-lane Atal Tunnel built beneath the 3,978-metre Rohtang Pass in the Pir Panjal Range, about 30 km from Manali, is a memorable ‘tunnel tourism’ destination. The tunnel, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3, 2020, 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. Manali-based Prem Thakur of Byke Neelkanth Hotel said that tourists from Manali now prefer to go towards Lahaul Valley via Atal Tunnel instead of opening the long and risky route of Rohtang Pass for traffic.
Snowfall in Himachal:
“Snow is the only attraction for tourists and the mighty Rohtang Pass near Manali is the only destination that remains covered in snow cover till the end of May. In this season, when the Rohtang Pass remains closed for traffic, the accompanying snow The slopes laden with Atal Tunnel and beyond are on his list of favourites.”
But a word of caution for the holidays. The police have advised them to follow the protocol as the threat of COVID-19 looms again. “We are using drones at the entry points of Shimla, Parwanoo and Pandoh to get an accurate estimate of the number of tourists entering the state,” a police spokesperson told the media.
Anjali Gabba, senior executive of a multinational company from Chandigarh said, “It is really pleasant to be back in the hills of Shimla to welcome the new year with musical parties.”
Her husband Bikram said, “We have been coming here every winter to enjoy the cool sunshine, which is missing in the plains due to the foggy weather.” Tour operators in Shimla are advising tourists to plan a trip to Narkanda to enjoy the snow-laden hills.
The mountain peaks visible from Shimla, and the Dhauladhar peaks overlooking the official palace of Tibetan Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama at Mcleodganj near Dharamshala are covered in a blanket of fresh white. Police issued a warning to hoteliers to follow standard operating procedures and urged tourists to follow guidelines and wear masks and maintain social distancing.
There are no expensive hotels and restaurants in remote areas in Himachal Pradesh. Started in 2008, rural home-stays are taking tourists deep into the interiors and are the best option to stay and enjoy the virgin nature and snowy landscape. The state’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism in addition to hydroelectric power and horticulture.
(with inputs from agencies)
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