Tourists make beeline for Manali to escape searing heat in plains

Manali is currently experiencing a significant influx of tourists with approximately 15,000 vehicles moving in and out of the town, according to DSP Manali KD Sharma. This surge is attributed to the scorching heat in the plains with tourists flocking to the hill station to escape the high temperatures.

Manali’s hotels are witnessing room occupancy rates exceeding 90% during the peak tourist season. Hoteliers are delighted with the heavy influx, which is expected to continue in the coming weeks. Gajender Thakur, former president of hoteliers association, Manali, notes that the hotel industry is likely to perform well in June and till mid-July due to summer vacations and increased tourist arrivals.

Anup Thakur, president of Kullu-Manali Paryatan Vikas Mandal, stated that “tourist influx is high in Manali, especially at the weekend. We are hopeful that it will continue till end of this month. This will help the hoteliers and other tourism stakeholders of Manali to cover their business losses, which occur due to poor tourist arrival last month.”

However, the increased footfall has also led to traffic bottlenecks in Manali and the surrounding areas. The town’s infrastructure is struggling to cope up with the large number of vehicles, causing gridlocks and pollution.

Despite the challenges, Mall road in Manali is buzzing with tourist activity. Visitors are enjoying the town’s scenic beauty, adventure sports and cultural experiences. Local businesses are benefiting from the surge, with many hotels and restaurants reporting increased bookings and sales.

The tourism is vital to Manali’s economy and the current surge is expected to boost local businesses. Hoteliers are optimistic about the season, citing increased online queries and bookings. With summer vacations underway, tourist arrivals are expected to continue rising, boosting the local economy.