Shimla: As scorching temperatures continue to grip the northern plains, Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a sharp rise in tourist arrivals, with thousands of travellers heading to the hill state in search of relief from the summer heat.
Popular destinations such as Kullu, Manali and Lahaul-Spiti are experiencing a tourism boom, with hotels, homestays, guest houses and resorts reporting heavy bookings. Visitors from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan are arriving in large numbers, giving a major push to the state’s tourism industry at the start of the summer season.
Tourism operators in Manali said occupancy levels in many hotels have already crossed 80 per cent and are likely to increase further in the coming days as temperatures continue to soar across the plains.
Several tourist hotspots, including Solang Valley, Sissu, Old Manali, Kasol, Banjar, Jibhi and Jalori Pass, are crowded with visitors. Snow-covered areas near Rohtang Pass, Shinkula Pass and Baralacha Pass are drawing particular attention from tourists looking to experience cooler weather and scenic mountain landscapes.
The reopening of high-altitude routes after winter has also boosted tourist movement towards Lahaul and Spiti. Adventure seekers are arriving for trekking, camping, biking and photography activities in the tribal region, which has become increasingly popular among domestic travellers.
Tourism stakeholders from Lahaul valley said the opening of the Manali-Leh highway and the Darcha-Shinkula-Padum route has significantly improved connectivity, leading to a noticeable increase in tourist traffic. Areas such as Sissu and Keylong are witnessing a steady inflow of visitors eager to explore snow-clad surroundings and mountain terrain.
The growing tourist rush has also led to long traffic jams on the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway, particularly near major entry points into the Kullu valley. Authorities have stepped up traffic management efforts to handle the increased vehicle movement during the busy season.
Local businesses linked to tourism — including taxi services, restaurants, guides and shopkeepers — are seeing a surge in demand. Taxi operators in Kullu and Manali reported a rise in bookings for sightseeing trips to nearby destinations in Lahaul and Spiti.
Meanwhile, district administrations and police officials have urged tourists to follow traffic rules and maintain cleanliness at tourist spots. Travellers heading towards high-altitude regions have also been advised to check road and weather updates before beginning their journey, as changing weather conditions and occasional snowfall can impact travel in mountainous areas.
With the heatwave expected to intensify further in the plains over the coming weeks, tourism industry representatives believe Himachal Pradesh may witness one of its busiest summer seasons in recent years.
