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Himachal Pradesh witnessed a record tourist footfall of one crore six thousand in the first half of 2023 till June but heavy rains, floods and landslides in the state in July have led to a slump in the tourism sector. As many as 99,78,504 domestic and 28,239 foreign tourists visited the hill state till June this year, with the industry showing signs of recovery after the slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which virtually crippled the tourism industry.
The tourist arrival during the first half was 89 lakh in 2018, 99.57 lakh in 2019, 22.04 lakh in 2020, 19.75 lakh in 2021 and 86.42 lakh in 2022 and a record was set in 2023, a statement issued here said. But the jubilation of attaining record numbers in the first half of 2023 may be short lived due to the vagaries of weather in July.
According to the state government, around 75,000 stranded tourists were evacuated from Himachal Pradesh after heavy rains triggered landslides, cloudbursts and flash floods blocking roads in the state on July 9 and 10.
The monsoon fury has stopped the tourist inflow and the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) on Saturday offered up to 50 per cent discount to tourists on room rent. The tourism industry is contemplating to offer special packages and discounts for revival.
Attributing the surge in tourist arrival in the first half of 2023 to the relentless efforts of the government to bolster the tourism infrastructure, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh is emerging as an all-season destination and attracted travellers from across the globe to experience its enchanting landscapes.
The influx of tourists at places like Pachmarhi, Mandu, Maheshwar, Ujjain, Omkareshwar and National Parks has swelled in the monsoon season especially on weekends and long holidays. Between April 2023-mid of July 2023, the tourism department earned INR 60 crore from resort bookings and other activities, according to the official figures.
Despite losses to the tourism industry due to monsoon fury, Sukhu reiterated that the government was looking forward to achieving the ambitious target of welcoming five crore tourists annually in the coming years. The tourism sector serves as the backbone of the state’s economy, providing livelihoods for thousands of families and with renewed commitment to infrastructure development, sustainable practices, and a focus on showcasing its natural bounty.
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