Early Monsoon, Landslide Rumors Hit Tourism in Manali

Early accession of monsoon and news reports about stranding of tourists afterward landslides in assorted locations of north India is acceptable to yield its assessment on tourism industry of Himachal, with abounding tourists anxious about the present climate altitude in the hill state. Tourists accept contacted hoteliers and travel agents to know if it is safe to visit Himachal now or should they adjourn their tour, sources said.

Hotel bookings in Manali, the advanced day-tripper destination of Himachal, accept all of a sudden decreased afterwards copious rain in north India. Hotels accept actual few bookings afterwards June 30 and those who accept appointed tours in beforehand are anxious about their safety. Hoteliers are aggravating their best to assure tourists that aggregate is safe in Kullu-Manali, but it doesn't seem to work, industry sources said.

"Tourists are regarding monsoons and landslides of Uttarakhand and Kinnaur to Manali and wish to keep away from any trouble," Rakesh Kumar from Himanshu Resorts said. Rumours accept advance that Manali has been hit by monsoon, stranding abounding tourists, he said.

However, Ludar Thakur, accepted administrator of Snow Peak Retreat, said, "We accept snow at Rohtang and all port are clear. Not even an accessory barrage has been appeared on Delhi-Manali highway. Tourists have no reason to dread and avoid Manali."

April 15 to July 15 is the peak summer season in Himachal. Arrival of monsoon in mid-June may hit the industry, depriving it crores of rupees, sources said. The clouds of crisis are now aerial over the day-tripper season, including Manali-Ladakh bike and jeep carnival tours. "Tourists who have already booked their tours are enquiring whether they should abolish their booking or is it safe to visit Himalayan regions in rainy season," Kaushal Bhardwaj, buyer of Discover Leh Ladakh, said.

Though there were reports that tourists were abandoned in Lahaul-Spiti districts, these were denied by district authorities. Lahaul-Spiti agent abettor Vir Singh Thakur said, "Tourists are accepting fun in the basin and all are safe. The artery to Lahaul basin is operational and as Kunzum canyon is closed, there are actual few tourists in Spiti valley."

Kullu agent abettor Sharab Chhopal Negi said that the absolute Kullu district is adequate soothing climate and that the administering is befitting an eye on the situation.