Revival of economy boosts tourists inflow to Himachal in winter

Tourism-friendly policy of state government and revival of Indian economy has boosted tourism in Himachal Pradesh which is witnessing around a 15% increase in arrival of visitors for Christmas and new year.

On the basis of booking of hotel rooms, it can be said that there has been around 15% increase in arrival of tourists to the state in winter for Christmas and new year this year, director of tourism Arun Sharma said today.

Sharma attributed the rush to the revival of the Indian economy from global recession and the tourism-friendly policy of the state government.

Reports gathered from marketing offices of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), which runs a chain of its hotels across the state, said there is about 90% occupancy of rooms in its 57 hotels.

"While HPTDC hotels in tourists hotspots of Shimla and Kullu-Manali are packed till the new year, occupancy in other hotels at different locations are over 90%," managing director, HPTDC, Subhashish Panda said.

Officials in the state tourism department said nearly 50,000 visitors had made to the picturesque hill state last year, and figures are expected to rise substantially this year.