Himachal Weather News
Himachal Pradesh Weather : Fresh snowfall brings tourist rush to Shimla, hotels record 90% occupancy
A fresh spell of heavy snowfall has breathed new life into Shimla’s tourism sector, drawing thousands of visitors to the hill town and bringing cheer to hoteliers and local businesses.
A fresh spell of heavy snowfall has breathed new life into Shimla’s tourism sector, drawing thousands of visitors to the hill town and bringing cheer to hoteliers and local businesses.
Tourists from across the country — including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka — along with visitors from neighbouring states such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh, have flocked to the Queen of Hills to witness the season’s first snow.
Popular tourist spots like The Ridge, The Mall Road, Jakhu Temple, and Lord Hanuman Temple, as well as nearby destinations such as Kufri, Fagu, Naldehra and Narkanda, were packed with visitors enjoying the snow-covered landscapes.
Soumya, a tourist from Bengaluru, said it was her first experience of live snowfall.
“We had planned our Himachal trip months ago hoping to see snow. It’s extremely cold but we’re loving every moment. Our vacation has truly become memorable,” she said.
According to District Tourism Officer Jagdish Sharma, hotel occupancy in Shimla has touched nearly 90 per cent, while nearby areas such as Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda have recorded around 60 per cent occupancy.
“Most hotels are already booked for the next few days with strong advance reservations. The long weekend and the snowfall have significantly boosted tourist footfall,” Sharma said, adding that more snowfall forecast by the Meteorological Centre is likely to attract even more visitors.
However, the surge in tourist vehicles has led to severe traffic congestion, particularly at Shoghi, the main entry point to Shimla. Vehicles were seen stuck for hours, causing inconvenience to both tourists and locals.
Despite the traffic snarls, the snowfall has provided a much-needed boost to the region’s hospitality and tourism industry, which had been awaiting the winter rush.
