Affected by the COVID1-19 pandemic and lockdowns, the tourism sector in Himachal witnessed an unparalleled decline of 81.4 percent in tourist arrivals during 2020 compared to 2019.
Himachal witnessed 31,70,714 domestic and 42,665 foreign tourists in 2020 compared to 1,68,29,231 domestic and 3,82,876 foreign tourists in 2019, marking a decline of 81.6 percent and 88.86 percent, respectively.
Tourist arrival was minimal in the peak tourist season from April to June and the total number of domestic and foreign tourists was 197 and 60.
No foreign tourists were seen in Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts while only eight foreigners visited Una, followed by Kinnaur (111), Lahaul and Spiti (155), Chamba (192), Mandi (405) and Sirmaur (454). The maximum number of 21,111 foreign tourists visited Shimla district while Kangra, Kullu and Solan districts witnessed 9,921, 7,080 and 3,228 foreign guests.
Even after the lockdown and easing of the pandemic restrictions, only 9,26,444 tourists visited the state in October, November and December against 24,97,715 in the corresponding months in 2019.
The tourism associations have blamed decisions like night curfew and closing markets on Sundays lesser inflow of tourists.
However, the inauguration of Atal Tunnel Rohtang emerged as a hotspot with 3,58,249 and 10,460 tourists visiting Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti districts from October to December.
The tourism and allied industry has suffered a loss of approx Rs. 2,500 crore in 2020, said president, Manali Hoteliers Association, Anup Thakur.
Tags: Himachal tourism
