Shimla: Tourist influx in 'Queen of Hills' soars after snowfall

Shimla, February 2: The picturesque hill station of Shimla has witnessed a surge in tourist arrivals from northern India following a fresh snowfall in parts of Himachal Pradesh. Atul Jain, a tourist from Punjab staying in Kufri, eagerly rushed to Shimla to embrace the enchanting snow-covered landscapes. Encouraging others to experience the scenic beauty, he exclaimed, "I would request everyone to come here and enjoy the beautiful weather."

Delighted first-time snowfall experiencer, Jeenu from Delhi, expressed her joy, saying, "My dream came true. It is a beautiful view around. I am feeling very delighted to see the snow. Everyone should come here and enrich themselves with a new experience."

The recent snowfall has not only thrilled tourists in Shimla, but also brought cheer to local hoteliers, offering a glimmer of hope for the revitalisation of the tourism industry. Bilal Sheikh, a local tourist guide, remarked, "We have been waiting for the snowfall for a long time. Tourists have started rushing here. It has been snowing for the last two-three days. There were predictions about more snowfall in the region."

Local hoteliers have reported an upswing in reservations post-snowfall, rekindling hopes for business revival after a prolonged dry spell. Naresh Kumar, a local hotelier, expressed optimism, stating, "Tourists have started arriving here. The weather department has forecasted more snowfall during the next two days. So we hope to get more tourists in the region."

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Western Himalayan Region and select areas of Uttar Pradesh are expected to witness rainfall at one or two locations in the coming days. The recent snowfall in Tikkar and Kharapathar areas of Shimla district has added to the winter charm.

In 2019, nearly 1,720,000 tourists, including 400,000 foreign tourists, visited Himachal Pradesh, contributing to an economy of over Rs 11,000 crore in the state's tourism sector. Tourism holds a pivotal role in the state's economy, constituting 7.3 percent of the state GDP.

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