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Snowfall brings a boom in
Himachal tourism
by Narendra Ranta

       Kufri (Shimla): Kufri looks more attractive with the recent spell of snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and it has triggered a spurt in tourist arrivals in the picturesque State. Several hotspots in the state like Shimla, Manali and Kufri registered record arrivals in February both from India and abroad. The resort town of Kurfi has been covered in a fresh mantle of white, with tourists enjoying the snow. "We are seeing snow for the first time and have been enjoying a lot here," said Saneed, a tourist from Ghaziabad.

      "We felt very good after coming here. We never thought we would feel so good. Wherever we see, it's all snow," added Amit, another tourist. The mercury has fallen below freezing point due to the snowfall. The town has been experiencing intermittent snowfall for last past few weeks. According to people dependent on the tourism sector feel, it is the best time of the season for them, as the number of tourists is expected to rise even further in the coming days. "The earlier two months November and December saw a great decline in business but this month has witnessed a boom. The hotel industry is profited and everyday new bookings are coming. All the nearby hotels are full. Tourists are coming in huge number," said Ashok Kumar, Owner of Hotel. "Snowfall has happened after quite a log time now. We have been greatly benefited from this. Due to tourists' inflow, our work has increased while, earlier, it had come to a standstill. We have been benefited a lot. We teach skiing and many other things to the tourists coming here," said Sardar Singh, Skier. The resorts of Kufri, Narkanda and Chail also experienced yet another spell of snowfall. However, several parts of the snowbound Shimla, Kinnaur and Sirmaur Districts have been without electricity for the past few days. Kufri is a tiny hill station located 19-kilometres from Shimla on the National Highway No.22. It has a Himalayan Nature park and close by is the Indira Tourist Park with HPTDC's Cafe Lalit. Indira Park provides some great views of the nearby places. Here, one can enjoy a Pony or a Yak Ride. Adventure-seeking travellers throng Kufri in winters to enjoy skiing and tobogganing along its snow-covered slopes. The Skiing season spreads between November to February and the tourist inflow is at its peak during winters. The region around Shimla including Kufri was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal. This region remained obscure from the rest of the world until the British 'discovered' it in 1819.
-Feb 21,  2007

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