Holidayers flocked to Himachal Pradesh following the Met department’s forecast of a white Christmas for the region. The weather department has forecasted a spell of snow and rain from December 24, as a fresh Western Disturbance is set to activate over the region between December 24 and December 26.
Temperatures have dipped in the region with Keylong, the administrative headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti district, being the coldest with minimum temperature at -6.3 degrees Celsius. Kalpa in Kinnaur district saw a low of -1.6 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Shimla recorded a night temperature of 5.4°C and Manali recorded 0.8 degrees Celsius. Tourist destination Kufri and Dalhousie recorded a low of 1.4°C and 3.4°C respectively.
The temperatures are expected to dip further from Friday onwards.
ALSO READ: Planning a trip abroad for Christmas-New Year? Here are Omicron curbs you must know
Meanwhile, the white Christmas forecast has brought cheers to the hospitality industry as they gear up for the Christmas-New Year season. The hospitality industry incurred huge losses during the past two years following restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to India Today, Manoj Sood, general secretary of Tour and Travel Association, Shimla, said that most of the hotels in Shimla have sold up to 80 per cent of their accommodation and advance bookings were underway.
“White Christmas prediction has attracted more tourists this time. The hotels have planned special events to celebrate Christmas. They can relish local cuisine besides the winter events,” Manoj Sood said.
Amit Kashyap, director of Tourism and Civil Aviation, said that the Himachal Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC)-owned hotels are already packed as the booking was done in advance.
Christmas, New Year celebrations amid Covid surge
The tourists’ arrival comes amid rising concerns over the surge in coronavirus cases and scare of Omicron variant. Fearing the spread of infection, the state authorities have issued strict directions to the hotel and restaurant owners to adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines.
ALSO READ: Video showing shoppers jostling for space in Delhi’s Sarojini Nagar market goes viral
“The tourists will have to wear a mask and maintain social distance, failing which they will not be allowed to enter any premises,” Amit Kashyap said.
The state has witnessed a sharp drop in the domestic as well as international tourist arrivals following the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to an estimate, nearly two crore tourists visit the state every year. In 2019, 1.72 Crore tourists, including three lakh international tourists, visited the state. However, the numbers dropped to 32 lakh in 2020.
The number jumped to 40 lakh during the 2021 summer and till November the numbers touched the 47 lakh-mark.
ALSO READ: Partying on New Year’s eve? 10 questions on Omicron answered by doctor who detected it