Himachal Tourism: 89% drop in Foreign arrivals
Shimla, Dec 25,
The scenic state of Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a dramatic decline in foreign tourist arrivals, with a staggering 89.65% drop observed in the last five years. This alarming trend has been largely attributed to a confluence of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and the ongoing geopolitical conflicts like the Ukraine-Russia war and the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.
Data reveals a stark contrast between the pre-pandemic era (2015-2019) and the subsequent period (2019-2024). While 20.69 lakh foreign tourists visited Himachal during the former period, the number dwindled to a mere 2.14 lakh in the latter, marking a significant loss of revenue for the state.
The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to the tourism sector, with 2020 witnessing a particularly sharp decline. Only 32.13 lakh tourists visited the state that year including 43 thousand foreign guests. While domestic tourism has shown signs of recovery, with 1.5 crore tourists visiting in 2023, the foreign tourist segment remains significantly impacted with only 62 thousand recorded foreign arrivals.
The ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the Ukraine-Russia war and the recent Israel-Hamas conflict, have further dampened travel enthusiasm among international visitors, stated Rajeev a hotel owner in Bhagsunag. He feels that countries like Russia, Belgium, and several European Nations that were once significant contributors to Himachal’s tourism have seen a sharp decline in visitor numbers. “Atleast 20 percent foreign tourist arrivals has gone down here, he informed.
Raghav Gupta, a senior Hospitality Professional stated that not only Himachal but the Indian tourism industry is facing a significant decline, primarily due to several critical factors. The loss of major markets like the US, Germany, and the UK, coupled with the instability of the Chinese market, has severely impacted inbound tourism. Domestically, challenges include poor infrastructure, safety concerns, and exorbitant prices for quality accommodation. Last-mile connectivity within the country remains a major hurdle, while issues like aggressive taxi drivers further deter tourists, he added. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these existing problems, leading to a sharp decline in tourism, he informed. Adding that, this decline has now reached a critical point, with India losing ground to competing destinations like Bali, Phuket, Koh Samui, Vietnam, and the Philippines, which offer better value, safety, and infrastructure, particularly post-COVID. The negative global perception of India regarding racial and women’s safety further discourages international travel. Despite these challenges, has failed to implement measures to enhance tourist comfort and improve its overall appeal as a travel destination.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
