Manali witnesses a tourist rush

MANALI: If the number of tourists, especially from southern states, coming to Manali after lifting restrictions on the movement by state government is any indication, Himachal Tourism seems to have defied doomsayers and bucked the trend. Thousands of people are thronging tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh. After COVID-19 strike across the world last year followed by global meltdown scare have dented the tourist inflow and fortunes of the hotel industry.

If one goes by the sudden surge of tourists coming to Manali, one may hope that state tourism is singing a different hospitality tune. According to policeman at green tax barriers (GTB) set up near Manali has registered around 800 vehicles on daily basis from other states especially from Friday to Sunday. It is also revealed that 1290, 1446 and 1062 vehicles from other states entered Manali in the last week of June. Number did not include the vehicles of local tourists.

According to official data of GTB, while 56,053 vehicles from other states were registered in the GTB in June 2019, only 28 vehicles from other states came in June last year due to Covid-induced lockdown. Beneficiaries of the tourism industry were hopeful that the tourist influx would increase further as it had increased after October last year after the first wave of Covid subsided.

The official of the tourism department revealed that 6,54,622 tourists had arrived in Manali between October 2020 and February 2021. The boredom faced by people due to the lockdown and restrictions also attributed to the growth in the number of tourist arrivals. According to a data provided by the Tourism Department, 1,13,601 vehicles from other states were registered in the GTB from October to February last year while 75,350 vehicles were registered in the corresponding period in 2019-20.

The occupancy level in the hotels remained between 80 to 85 per cent during the last two weeks of June but in some cases it touched 100 per cent. These are encouraging signs of revival and tourism authorities are hopeful of sustaining the positive trend. Tourists are also looking for budget accommodation and the tourism department is trying to promote this concept so that tourist can provide clean and affordable stay to them.

The daily number of vehicles visiting the Rohtang Pass was also over 200 so far as the tourist footfall was increasing gradually and only local taxis were allowed by the administration.

A taxi operator in Manali said they were offering 50 per cent discount at present and an Alto car was available for around Rs 3,000 and an Innova for Rs 5,000 to go to the Rohtang top. He said tourists preferred visiting the Lahaul valley by crossing the Atal Tunnel.

Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) had also started deluxe bus service to the Rohtang Pass. The fare has been kept at Rs 600 per seat. The bus will go from Manali to Rohtang and return via the Atal Tunnel.

Tourist rush is expected to increase after the operations of Volvo buses resumption from July1 from Delhi. Already popular tourist places like Shimla and Manali are witnessing a tourist rush.