Manali has become the most preferred tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh. While the tourist inflow in Himachal Pradesh has exceeded five per cent growth in 2016, Manali has emerged as the number one destination for the tourists visiting the hill state.
As per the data released by State Tourism Department, Manali has proved to be the best attraction for tourists in HP, fetching 20 percent visitor share of the total tourist visiting the state.
Though, the State Capital Shimla is still the most favoured destination of foreign tourists, Manali in Kullu district figures among the top destination not only in the state, but also on country level, registering about 36.37 lakh tourists including 35.15 lakh domestic and 1.22 lakh foreigners.
As per the data, Shimla recorded 35.82 lakh visitors during 2016 including 34.16 lakh domestic and 1.65 lakh foreigners. Due to its historical significance and Shimla, being the live display of the colonial architecture, has remained the most preferred destination for foreigners specially who come to see the architecture of colonial times.
The available data reveals that state registered around 1,84,50,520 tourists in 2016 including 1,79,97,750 domestic and 4,52,770 foreigners.
Tourism is considered , one of the most significant factor in the economic growth of the hill state and contributes 7 percent in the Gross State Domestic Product(GSDP). The cultural diversity of the state, clean and peaceful environment, pleasant and adventurous climate and weather system have given a healthy boost to the tourism industry in the state.
Beautiful streams, sacred shrines, historic monuments and friendly and hospitable people of the state have also played vital role in alluring more and more tourists to the state.
Tourism sector, that includes big hotel chains like Oberoi’s and other local business tycoons who own or operate more than 2604 hotels and various hospitality units could accommodate large number of tourists with bed capacity of 70.869.
In addition, there are as many as 787 home stays units having capacity of 2,137 rooms that has helped the state to decongest the crowd of tourists from the towns to the rural areas near the nature.
The sector, considered to be silver business for big transporters, hotels chains, local businessmen also generates revenue for middle man and small traders in the tourist destinations.