Over 74 lakh visitors visited Himachal Pradesh by May of this year, up 3.5% over the same time the previous year. This indicates that the state has seen a significant increase in tourism. And once again, Solan district has surpassed Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh capital, to claim the title of most tourist foot traffic.
Himachal Pradesh Attracts 74 Lakh Tourists: 10 Key Points To Know
- Tourism Increase: Himachal Pradesh welcomed over 74 lakh visitors by May this year, marking a 3.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
- Solan’s Popularity: Solan district surpassed Shimla as the top destination for tourist foot traffic in the state.
- Emerging Destinations: Popularity is growing for well-known locations like Kasauli and Chail, as well as newer attractions like Reva Waterfall.
- Tourism Boost: The expansion of accessible guesthouse options has boosted tourism in areas like Kandaghat-Sadhupul.
- Infrastructure Development: The state is focusing on improving infrastructure and connectivity, including the construction of heliports.
- Funding and Projects: The Asian Development Bank is funding various projects such as building ice skating rinks, creating roadside facilities, and promoting eco and adventure tourism.
- International Visitors: By the end of May, Himachal Pradesh had welcomed 32,415 international visitors out of a total of 74,64,184 tourists.
- Year-Round Destination: Himachal Pradesh is popular year-round, offering attractions like Kinnaur, Spiti, Dharamsala, Kullu-Manali, and Shimla.
- Spiritual Appeal: The state attracts visitors to its Shakti Peethas and historic Shiva temples, earning the nickname Chhoti Kashi.
- Natural Beauty and Culture: The beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti, and Chamba are increasingly attracting foreign visitors and adventure seekers.
Well-known locations like Kasauli and Chail are becoming more and more famous, while visitors are also becoming interested in more recent locations like Reva Waterfall. Tourism in places like Kandaghat-Sadhupul has been boosted by the expansion of accessible guesthouse choices.
Manasi Sahay Thakur, Director of Tourism and Civil Aviation, outlined continuous efforts to improve infrastructure and connectivity. “Heliport building is an attempt to increase intra- and inter-state connection. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing funds for the building of ice skating rinks, the creation of roadside facilities, and the promotion of eco and adventure tourism. These are the areas of major attention for infrastructure development, the spokesperson told PTI.
Plans include building heliports, creating roadside facilities, and setting up ice skating rinks and wellness centers. Initiatives in ecotourism and adventure tourism are supported by funding from the Asian Development Bank.
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The minister also said that 32,415 international visitors, out of 74,64,184 total visitors, had been welcomed by Himachal Pradesh by the end of May. Compared to the 72,02,956 tourists—23,174 of them were international visitors—during the same time the previous year, this represented a 3.5% rise.
Himachal Pradesh is a year-round tourist destination that offers the calm beauty of Kinnaur, the breathtaking scenery of Spiti, and the spiritual attraction of Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama, the leader of the Tibetan people. While Kullu-Manali entices visitors with snow and adventure sports, Shimla enchants with its colonial architecture.
The spiritual importance of Himachal Pradesh also attracts visitors to the Shakti Peethas, which are known as Chhoti Kashi for its historic Shiva temples, at Kangra, Bilaspur, Una, Sirmaur, and Mandi. The beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti, and Chamba are attracting more and more foreign visitors and adventure seekers.
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