Kangra valley hotels overflowing as tourists flock to beat the heat

Kangra Valley is witnessing an unprecedented tourist rush during the ongoing long weekend, with hotels in Palampur, Bir Billing and Barot packed to capacity. Over 8,000 vehicles have entered the region in the past three days, as tourists from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Jammu seek refuge from the sweltering heat in the plains.

The surge in footfall has also boosted business for camping sites and homestays in Bir Billing and Barot, which are recording excellent occupancy this year. With hotel bookings touching nearly 100 per cent, tourists have been advised to reserve accommodations in advance to avoid last-minute inconvenience.

Several hoteliers told The Tribune that they had urged the local administration to relax traffic norms, especially in areas lacking sufficient parking. “We’ve suggested easing vehicular rules during peak weekends to avoid congestion in tourist zones,” they said. Heavy vehicular inflow has resulted in traffic snarls and turned parking lots into choke points.

A spell of rain on Friday brought much-needed relief and added to the charm for visitors. The Tourism Department’s initiative to promote lesser-known rural destinations like Rajgundha, Bara Gram, Barot, and Billing is also helping ease the burden on traditional hill towns while attracting a more diverse crowd.

Vinay Sharma, president of the Palampur Hoteliers Association, expressed optimism, saying this was the first time in years that most hotels in the region were running full. “Weekend tourism is thriving here,” he said, adding that better infrastructure would further boost the region’s potential.

Himachal Tribune