Foreign tourists give a miss to Himalayan treks

MANALI: The decrease in the number of foreign trekkers on the famous trekking routes of Himachal is pinching the tourism industry of the state this season. Despite peak trekking season, most routes are wearing a deserted look and cancellations of tours are continuing.

After the slowdown in domestic tourism, very few tourists from abroad are daring to visit the mountainous regions in north India, in the wake of the recent devastation in Uttarakhand and Kinnaur. Rumors about landslides, rigorous monsoon and dozens of cloudbursts in Himachal is another reason that tourists from abroad are concerned about, prompting cancellation of their Himachal visit. According to travel agents, dozens of cancellations are taking place every day.

Spiti circuit of Himachal, famous among foreign tourists, is the most affected, having seen a sharp drop in tourist arrivals this year. Bhaba pass trek, Kanamo peak trek, Prang La treks, Pangpo, Pin Valley and Sara Umga pass are the popular treks of Spiti valley among foreign trekkers. But all these routes have been left longing for guests from abroad this time around, sources said.

"There is no particular reason behind the drop in arrival of tourists from abroad, but we have many hunches. The international media presented cloudbursts and floods in some parts of India in a way that visiting hills here seemed not less than jumping into hell," managing director of Himalayan Caravan Adventure, Ravi Thakur, said. According to him, very few tourists have reached Himachal this year and several jeep safari and bike tours on Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti have already been cancelled. "We have got very few trekking expeditions this year," he added.

About 4.8 lakh foreign tourists visited Himachal last year while 1.4 lakh foreigners visited Kullu district alone. July to September is the time when thousands of foreign tourists visit Himachal - mostly for trekking, bike and jeep safaris while others opt for leisure, historical and cultural tours. Kasol, Manikaran, Old Manali and Vashisht are the main destinations where foreigners prefer staying in. However, few foreigners are being spotted in these locations now, sources added.

"Most cancellations are happening at the last moment as tourists are keeping track of weather conditions," a trekking guide in Kasol, Sunil Kumar, said, adding that his customers are afraid of cloudbursts and floods. "Though trekkers have nothing to do with blockade of roads, they are concerned about floods and cloudbursts. They also apprehend that the aggressive monsoon may spoil their programme," he said.