Tourism picks up pace in Himachal after three months; hotel occupancy rises

October 4, 2025

Tourism has picked up pace again in Himachal Pradesh after nearly three months. Shimla, Narkanda, Chail, Kasauli, and Dharamshala have seen an increase in tourist arrivals. After the Durga Puja holidays, bookings have begun from Gujarat and other states, bringing smiles back to tourism businesses.

Shimla’s Kufri and Narkanda have begun to see a surge of tourists on weekends. The daily arrival of a large number of tourist vehicles and taxis has boosted the tourism business.

Hotel and resort bookings in Kasauli have reached 80 to 90 percent for the weekend. Occupancy in Chail has increased by 30 percent compared to last week. Following the surge in weekend tourism, businesses in the tourism sector are now hopeful for the upcoming winter tourist season.

Gajendra Chand Thakur, President of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations, stated that weekend tourism has picked up since the weather opened up.

If this trend continues, the upcoming winter tourist season could see good business. Tourism Department Director Vivek Bhatia said that an improvement in weekend tourism will not only benefit hotels and homestays, but it will also have a positive impact on the businesses of taxi operators, restaurants, and small business establishments.