Unprecedented rainfall in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand has triggered floods, landslides, and road cave-ins, crippling infrastructure and stranding tourists. State governments have advised against travel to affected areas, while the hospitality sector braces for heavy losses at the start of the festive season.
Hotels in Manali and other tourist hubs have suspended bookings for weeks. “There is no connectivity, especially in Old Manali. We’ve suspended bookings for at least 15–20 days,” said Saurabh Bhandari, Marketing Manager at Nirvana Hamta Retreat.
The downpour has also forced the Northern Railway to cancel 45 trains and shorten 25 services in Jammu. Travellers across the country are rerouting their plans, with many cancelling trips to the mountains and opting for safer destinations such as Puducherry and Goa.
Industry bodies, however, remain cautiously optimistic. FAITH General Secretary Rajiv Mehra said travel demand could rebound by October as festive tourism picks up. Hotel executives project a 10% rise in room rates and 70–75% occupancy levels from September to December, driven by weddings, weekend getaways, and international events.
Meanwhile, travel platforms like EaseMyTrip report bookings already up 30% year-on-year during August long weekends, with strong interest in destinations such as Goa, Udaipur, Varanasi, and Dubai.
source: Business Standard
