To attract more tourists, postponement of Manali Winter Carnival demanded

The Manali Winter Carnival Committee has urged the state government to postpone the annual event from January 2 to 6 to January 20 to 24 so that several issues can be addressed and the event’s impact on local tourism is also enhanced. A meeting, involving tourism stakeholders, hoteliers and local officials, discussed the challenges faced by the carnival in recent years, particularly the lack of sufficient snowfall in December and early January, impacting the event’s ability to attract tourists.

For the past few years, snowfall in Manali has been inconsistent and the winter season not experiencing heavy snowfall traditionally expected during December and early January. The absence of abundant snow has hindered the carnival’s winter games, a key attraction for tourists, making the event less appealing to visitors. The lack of snow has led to a decline in participation, reducing the carnival’s overall effectiveness in drawing in tourists.

In addition to the weather concerns, local hoteliers highlighted the heavy influx of tourists during the Christmas and New Year period. As the town is already crowded with visitors during peak holiday weeks, they suggested that postponing the carnival to late January could attract more tourists, when the tourist season begins to slow down. By organising the event from January 20 to 24, the committee hopes to draw more visitors during a typically lean period, ultimately giving the much-needed boost to the tourism industry in the Kullu-Manali region.

According to official sources, the proposal to change the event’s dates was discussed and unanimously agreed upon during the meeting, and the committee has since forwarded it to the state government for approval. Manali SDM Raman Sharma, who is also the vice-president of the Winter Carnival Committee, confirmed that the proposal was submitted a few days ago and the final decision of the state government was awaited.

Stakeholders in the tourism sector are hopeful that the revised dates will align with favourable weather conditions, ensuring an unforgettable experience for tourists and revitalizing the local economy.