The snowfall experienced in the higher mountainous regions on Sunday has come like a Gregorian calendar new year’s gift for both visitors and the locals with hundreds of people visiting Auli near Joshimath every day. The snow covered Auli and Khulara camp site have made the local businessmen happy with business coming their way in the form of tourists who have been streaming to the place since snowfall on Sunday.
The snowfall on Sunday has also brought with it a considerable number of tourist footfalls with the Curzon tourist site in this part of Chamoli district being jam-packed with visitors. An estimated 200 to 300 tourists are arriving in various camp sites to enjoy Auli and the Garhwal Himalayas. The number of tourists is reported to be increasing by the day with people thronging to Auli and Curzon trail camp sites being dotted by camps of trekkers brought by local tour operators these days. Adventure Trekking manager Sanjay Kunwar said that all tour operator members of the Joshimath adventure association are fully booked till February with about 42 groups having made their bookings. Those involved in various trades associated with tourism are hoping that the weather remains good enough with adequate snow to facilitate successful organisation of the winter games slated to be organised at Auli during February which would provide a further boost to the tourism business in the state.