Communal unrest in Himachal: A blow to state’s tourism

The ongoing unrest following the mosque controversy in Himachal Pradesh has left tourism businesses deeply concerned. Popular tourist destinations like Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri etc are seeing a sharp decline in visitors. Many tourists who had made advance hotel bookings online 10 to 15 days ago are now canceling their reservations due to the tense situation.

Following the unrest in Shimla, protests related to the mosque issue are now spreading to other parts of the state. Tourism operators fear that this could soon affect other key destinations like Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, and Kasauli. In light of this, tourism businesses have urged the state government to maintain peace and harmony in the state.

The recent protests have had a direct impact on tourism. Many advance bookings for the upcoming long weekends have been canceled. Hotel occupancy, which had already been low since July was expected to improve however, the protests have discouraged tourists from visiting Himachal.

Shimla is not just a tourist city but also provides livelihood for hundreds of people, tourism has a trickle-down effect on the overall economy of the state. If the situation isn’t resolved quickly, it may impact the New Year also. The way water cannons and baton charges were shown on national TV channels has scared tourists. They are now hesitant to visit Shimla, which is directly affecting the industry.

This period typically marks the start of tourist influx in Himachal i.e. after the rainy season and before the winter peaks. Many reservations are being canceled, and new bookings are scarce. Business owners are deeply troubled, fearing further financial losses if the situation persists for long. They urge the state government to swiftly resolve the dispute to restore normalcy and protect the tourism industry. Himachal Pradesh is renowned for its peace and communal harmony, such disputes are unprecedented in the state. The problem seems to stem from vendors coming from outside who aren’t properly registered. This situation has disrupted the work and led to a significant decline in business. Many local businesses have come to a standstill.

Hotel occupancy usually reaches over 40% during this season, but this year, it hasn’t even crossed 20%. If the mosque dispute is not resolved soon, its effects will be felt across other tourist destinations in the state, leading to heavy losses for the industry. It has also been noted that members of the Muslim community, who often visit Himachal due to its peaceful environment, are now avoiding the state due to the unrest. Tourism in Himachal Pradesh contributes over ₹12,000 crore to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The livelihood of over 4 lakh families depends on the tourism industry. Alongside apple farming, tourism is a major contributor to the state’s economy. New destinations like Palampur, Mandi, and Soni where tourism was on the rise are also feeling the pinch from the current unrest.