Hotels, travel companies expect domestic tourism to surge in hill stations this winter

As the Republic Day weekend nears, executives at The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, 8,825 feet above sea level in Gulmarg, are preparing for a huge rush of tourists. Other hotspots such as Manali, Shimla and Leh-Ladakh are also drawing strong interest from winter travellers as the infrastructure improves, travel companies said. Indian tourists drive demand After a busy New Year week, travel companies are looking to capitalise on the long weekend by offering curated packages that combine adventure with cultural experiences. According to data from the tourism ministry, winter tourism arrivals in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir alone have surged by more than 30% between 2018 and 2023," said SD Nandakumar, president and country head of holidays and corporate tours at SOTC Travel. We have had good tourism in the valley the last two years on the back of very strong domestic demand, and good snowfall always helps position us better," said Nazir Rah, managing director of Rah Hotels & Resorts.