<p>Shimla: Tourist arrivals in Himachal Pradesh increased from 1.51 crore in 2022 to 1.60 crore last year, despite the disruptions caused by heavy rainfall, floods and landslides in mid-2023.</p>.<p>In the first half of 2023, more than one crore tourists — 99,78,504 domestic and 28,239 foreign — had visited the state till June.</p>.<p>But tourist inflow completely stopped during the monsoon due to heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides, and disruption caused by these, an official said.</p>.<p>Himachal Pradesh suffered losses to the tune of Rs 9,905.77 crore due to the July and August rains, and more than 200 people were killed in rain-related incidents and accidents. Several people were also displaced.</p>.<p>In one instance, 75,000 stranded tourists had to be evacuated from the state on July 9 and 10 after roads were blocked in the hill state, according to government data.</p>.Sukhu presents Rs 58,444 crore Himachal Budget; hikes MSP for milk; no fresh tax proposed.<p>Following the monsoon mayhem, relief and restoration works were undertake on war-footing. The large flow of tourist during the Kullu International Dussehra marked the beginning of the revival of the tourism industry, officials told the <em>PTI</em>.</p>.<p>Data from the tourism department showed that 1.60 crore tourists, including 62,806 foreigners, visited the state during 2023 as compared to 1.51 crore tourists, including 29,333 foreigners, in 2022.</p>.<p>While the overall increase was six per cent, it was 53 per cent foreign tourists, it showed.</p>.<p>The officials said that a boost in infrastructure and addition of tourists spots has aided the recovery.</p>.<p>President of the Manali Hoteliers Association, Mukesh Thakur, said Atal tunnel (Rohtang), the new gateway to Lahaul and Spiti, has emerged as a tourist hotspot. Tourists are visiting the area in large numbers, the president of the Manali Hoteliers Association, Mukesh Thakur.</p>.<p>Besides the prominent tourists spots like Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Dharamsala, Shimla and Kullu-Manali, there is also a perennial flow of visitors to 'shakti peeths' in Kangra, Bilaspur, Una, Sirmaur and Mandi.</p>.<p>Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukkhu has said that the state's target is to have five crore tourists annually and for this infrastructure in being made.</p>.<p>During his budget speech on Saturday, he had announced plans to develop Chandratal, Kaza and Tandi in Lahaul-Spiti and Rackchham and Nako 'Chango' Khab in Kinnaur as tourist destinations.</p>
<p>Shimla: Tourist arrivals in Himachal Pradesh increased from 1.51 crore in 2022 to 1.60 crore last year, despite the disruptions caused by heavy rainfall, floods and landslides in mid-2023.</p>.<p>In the first half of 2023, more than one crore tourists — 99,78,504 domestic and 28,239 foreign — had visited the state till June.</p>.<p>But tourist inflow completely stopped during the monsoon due to heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides, and disruption caused by these, an official said.</p>.<p>Himachal Pradesh suffered losses to the tune of Rs 9,905.77 crore due to the July and August rains, and more than 200 people were killed in rain-related incidents and accidents. Several people were also displaced.</p>.<p>In one instance, 75,000 stranded tourists had to be evacuated from the state on July 9 and 10 after roads were blocked in the hill state, according to government data.</p>.Sukhu presents Rs 58,444 crore Himachal Budget; hikes MSP for milk; no fresh tax proposed.<p>Following the monsoon mayhem, relief and restoration works were undertake on war-footing. The large flow of tourist during the Kullu International Dussehra marked the beginning of the revival of the tourism industry, officials told the <em>PTI</em>.</p>.<p>Data from the tourism department showed that 1.60 crore tourists, including 62,806 foreigners, visited the state during 2023 as compared to 1.51 crore tourists, including 29,333 foreigners, in 2022.</p>.<p>While the overall increase was six per cent, it was 53 per cent foreign tourists, it showed.</p>.<p>The officials said that a boost in infrastructure and addition of tourists spots has aided the recovery.</p>.<p>President of the Manali Hoteliers Association, Mukesh Thakur, said Atal tunnel (Rohtang), the new gateway to Lahaul and Spiti, has emerged as a tourist hotspot. Tourists are visiting the area in large numbers, the president of the Manali Hoteliers Association, Mukesh Thakur.</p>.<p>Besides the prominent tourists spots like Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Dharamsala, Shimla and Kullu-Manali, there is also a perennial flow of visitors to 'shakti peeths' in Kangra, Bilaspur, Una, Sirmaur and Mandi.</p>.<p>Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukkhu has said that the state's target is to have five crore tourists annually and for this infrastructure in being made.</p>.<p>During his budget speech on Saturday, he had announced plans to develop Chandratal, Kaza and Tandi in Lahaul-Spiti and Rackchham and Nako 'Chango' Khab in Kinnaur as tourist destinations.</p>