G20 Summit in Delhi a shot in arm for Himachal's tourism industry recovering from monsoon fury

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 8 (ANI): As the national capital is closed for three days in view of G20 Summit under India's Presidency, people living in Delhi and other cities are rushing towards Himachal Pradesh to enjoy their long weekend, giving a boost to the tourism sector of the hill state.  
Rohan Fernandis, a tourist hailing from Karnataka, said that earlier there was a fear in visiting the hill state as recently rain has wreaked havoc here. "But now the weather is very nice," he said. 
“We have come from Delhi. It is our first day here. We were afraid to visit Shimla, we heard that here it was raining and floods earlier but now it's good to be here," he said. 
"As far as Delhi is concerned it's crowded and the temperature is soaring there. Because of the G-20 Summit, most of the places are closed and everything is shut. It is very good here, including the weather,” Rohan said. 
Preeti, another tourist, said that Shimla is the appropriate place to visit during this time. 
“We are coming from Karnataka. Our trip was planned earlier but because of the prevailing inclement weather we postponed it. I am happy that the weather is very nice and it is nice to be walking around here. The summit is going on. It is very crowded over there in Delhi. So, I think Shimla is the right place to visit,” she said. 
Moreover, international tourists are also visiting Himachal's capital. Lisa, a Swiss national, said that the temperature is soaring in Delhi making it unfavourable for them. 
“I came with my husband from Switzerland to visit India for the next few months. We were aware about the flooding situation we were waiting for things to get better. Now the weather is really very pleasant. It's very beautiful to be in the mountains. We went to Delhi, we loved the city but it was too hot for us. With the G-20 coming up we decided to go to the mountains and to spend the next three weeks travelling to mountains in Himachal Pradesh, we shall be going to Spiti-valley and doing some trekking. We recommend everyone to come to India. We love the country," she said. 
Meanwhile, tourism stakeholders are also hopeful that this will boost their businesses, which is recovering from the economic shock, developed after the recent monsoon fury. 
Mohinder Seth, President of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Stakeholders Association said that the hoteliers have come up with discounts and offers to attract tourists here.
“Yes, due to the G-20 Summit holidays in Delhi, people are planning to come here. We have come up with different lucrative packages. Tourism was badly affected due to floods but now things are back to normal. This G20 meet has come up as a boom for revival of our tourism business,” Mohinder Seth said.
"The tourists have started coming in here as there are restrictions in Delhi, our different units and hotels have come with a four day package to attract the tourists. Some hotels have given one night free with two nights. The Shimla, Kasauli, Chail and Narkanda tourists have started coming similarly in Kangra circuits. Tourists have started coming is a good sign for us but for Manali area tourists have not yet started coming soon they will be coming. The G 20 would be a boom for the revival of tourism in the state,” Seth further added.
Thousands of tourists annually visit Himachal, as per data available with the tourism department of Himachal Pradesh during the year 2019, nearly 17,20,000 tourists including nearly 4,00,000 foreign tourists visited the state with a jump of nearly 5 per cent in comparison to the year 2018. During the year between 2020 to 2022 arrival was decreased due to COVID-19 induced pandemic and now again this year it was hit by floods during the past two months.
Economic activities of over Rs 11,000 crore are generated in the hill state in the tourism sector and it is considered a backbone for the economy in the state which contributes to 7.3 per cent in SGDP. (ANI)