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Hindustan Times
09-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
4.7L tourists visit Kangra in 1st 6 months, more than last year
Despite slowdown in May, the tourist footfall in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh has witnessed an increase in the first six months of 2025 compared to the arrivals recorded last year during the same period. Dharamshala is also emerging as a sports tourism destination with Indian Premier League and international cricket matches being played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium in the city, which is often dubbed as one of the world's beautiful cricket venues. Kangra also boasts of Bir Billing, the paragliding capital of India. (HT Photo) According to the data shared by the tourism department, between January and June, 4.70 lakh tourists visited the Kangra district, compared to 4.6 lakh during the same period last year. After a significant decline in tourist footfall in May, the month of June showed a positive trend. This June, 1,17,709 tourists visited Kangra, an increase compared to 1 lakh arrivals in June 2024. Except in May, the tourist numbers have seen a rise in every month this year compared to the same months last year. In May 66,592 tourists visited Kangra, compared to 83,388 visitors recorded in the same month last year. The tourist arrivals in May witnessed a significant drop this year and the hotel occupancy plummeted due to the Operation Sindoor. Due to tensions, even airports were closed for some time in May and visitors even remained reluctant to travel at that time. The slowdown had even prompted the hoteliers to offer discounts to attract tourists. Kangra district tourism development officer Vinay Dhiman said tourism is highly dependent on safety and security. 'Even a slight disturbance discourages tourists. They choose a destination only when they feel safe, as it is the primary concern for every individual,' he said. Notably, the domestic tourist numbers have registered an increase till June, while the number of foreign tourists have seen a slight drop, compared to last year. Officials attributed last year's higher number of foreign visitors to the test match played between India and England in March 2024. 'The tourist arrivals often rise during major events, like we saw in March last year when Dharamshala hosted a Test match between India and England,' he said. Foreigners in large numbers throng Dharamshala and McLeodganj where the 14th Dalai Lama resides. Dharamshala is also emerging as a sports tourism destination with Indian Premier League and international cricket matches being played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium in the city, which is often dubbed as one of the world's beautiful cricket venues. Kangra also boasts of Bir Billing, the paragliding capital of India. Last year around 8 lakh tourists visited Kangra valley and it is expected that the number will cross the 10-lakh mark this year. 'This year, tourist arrivals have increased steadily until June, and going by the trend, we expect the footfall in Kangra to cross the 10-lakh mark,' Dhiman said.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Gujarat tourist, 25, falls during take-off, dies in paragliding mishap in Himachal's Dharamshala
A 25-year-old tourist died in a paragliding accident while taking off from a non-notified site at Bangotu, which is above the Indrunag paragliding site near Dharamshala on Sunday evening, officials said on Monday. This is the second such incident in Dharamshala this year in which a tourist was killed in a paragliding mishap.(PTI/ Representational) The deceased was identified as Satish from Ahmedabad in Gujarat. He was on a tandem flight and fell during take-off along with his pilot who also sustained injuries. This is the second such incident in Dharamshala this year in which a tourist was killed in a paragliding mishap. Also read | Paragliding activities in Himachal to be suspended The incident occurred around 3.30 pm on Sunday. Police officials said that the tourist was on a family trip in Dharamshala. The injured tourist was first taken to Zonal Hospital in Dharamshala from where he was referred to Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, in Kangra, where he succumbed to his injuries. 'Paragliding site was not notified' Kangra district tourism development officer Vinay Dhiman said, 'The preliminary inquiry suggests that the tandem flight's take-off was done from a site which is not notified, which is a complete violation of HP Aero-Sports Rules 2022, and the order of the high court wherein it has been mentioned that no site can be operated without a marshal. Neither this site is notified, nor was there any marshal present there." He added, "We have asked the district administration to take cognisance of the incident. We have issued show-cause notices to both pilot and the operator and appropriate action will be taken as per the law after their response is received.' Meanwhile, police officials also said that they are investigating the incident. Earlier this year, a 19-year-old female tourist also died in a paragliding accident on January 19 while taking off at the Indrunag paragliding site in Dharamshala.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Dharamshala tourism braces for boost as IPL fever draws close
Dharamshala The tourism and hospitality industry in Dharamshala, which was reeling under a lean patch in winters, is likely to get a boost as three Indian Premier League (IPL) matches will be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium. Tourism stakeholders expect a rise in visitors as the Punjab Kings will play three matches at the city's picturesque stadium — against Lucknow Super Giants (May 4), against Delhi Capitals (May 8) and against Mumbai Indians (May 11). The Dharamshala stadium is the Punjab Kings's adopted home ground. Hotel occupancy is also expected to see a significant increase in the period. Hoteliers had attributed the decline in occupancy during winters to scarce snowfall and the Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. Hotels saw an occupancy of nearly 20% in January and February. As the offline sales of the tickets have started, fans have made beelines in front of the sale windows at the stadium. Dharamshala Hotel Association president Ashwani Bamba said a surge in visitors is expected in Dharamshala during the match days. 'Two matches are scheduled over the weekend, and we anticipate an increase in hotel occupancy,' he said. 'We expect occupancy in lower Dharamshala to rise to over 70% as visitors prefer hotels closer to the stadium. In contrast, hotel occupancy in upper Dharamshala is not expected to see much change, except a few ones,' he added. He said that the matches will boost tourism in nearby areas, such as Palampur, as well. Stakeholders said tourists coming for IPL matches from other states tend to visit other places as well. Kangra district tourism development officer Vinay Dhiman said, 'We expect a higher footfall of tourists during the IPL matches in Dharamshala.' The tour and travel businesses are also expecting an increase in business during the match days. Kangra district president of joint action committee of the All Himachal Taxi Association Varun Thakur said they are expecting an increase in tourists from nearby states and strong business during the matches. 'This is already the tourist season and the IPL matches will further boost the inflow,' he said. The Kangra administration recently held a meeting regarding the upcoming IPL matches, during which the departments concerned were told to prepare and the police were directed to ensure law and order during the match days.
