SHIMLA: As the plains sizzle under an unforgiving sun, the mountains of Himachal Pradesh are witnessing a great summer migration.
Tourists from across India are making a beeline for cooler climes, swelling footfalls across Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, and the exotic valleys of Lahaul-Spiti and Tirthan and Parbati valleys in Kullu.
The state-run Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has recorded a 15 percent jump in hotel occupancy this month compared to last year, indicating a strong rebound for the hospitality sector.
"This season has seen a sharp rise in tourist arrivals," said HPTDC Managing Director Rajeev Kumar, adding that special efforts are being made to further boost revenue across HPTDC units.
However, private hoteliers remain cagey about sharing their business numbers, preferring to keep their cards close to the chest despite visibly busy hotels.
The pristine snow cover in Lahaul, scenic drives through the Atal Tunnel and Rohtang Pass, and the hippie trails of Kasol, Kheerganga, Pulga, and Tosh are drawing heavy crowds.
Likewise, Dharamshala, McLeodganj, Palampur, and Dalhousie in Chamba district are buzzing with tourist activity.
Adding to this tourist surge is the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which has made many travelers shift their holiday plans to Himachal Pradesh.
Travel agents report a sharp increase in last-minute bookings for Himachal circuits as families, who earlier opted for Kashmir’s valleys, now prefer the “safer and stable” hill stations of Himachal.
In the Shimla circuit, Kinnaur and Spiti are already experiencing higher tourist traffic — even before the summer peak sets in.
Sensing the opportunity, HPTDC has issued fresh directives to its officials. All nodal officers, managers, DGMs, AGMs, and unit heads have been asked to post daily updates on special efforts made to increase revenue — such as new agreements, events hosted, and outreach meetings with institutions.
These updates must be sent weekly to the headquarters through the official e-office system and shared on a dedicated WhatsApp group, said Rajeev Kumar.
“We want to ensure that every special effort, beyond the routine, is captured and built upon to maximize revenue during this booming season,” said Kumar.
With the mercury rising further in the coming weeks and travel plans pivoting rapidly post-Pahalgam incident, the rush to the hills is expected to intensify — turning the summer of 2025 into one of the busiest tourist seasons Himachal has seen in years.
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