Himachal’s traditional destinations less popular now as domestic tourists take road less travelled

No roads are less travelled when it comes to Himachal

Himachal Pradesh is ‘vanishing into thin air’, the Supreme Court warned, citing worsening flash floods and landslides, yet in 2024, the mountain state saw more than 1.8 crore domestic tourist visits, the fastest growth in over a decade, raising concerns over the strain on the fragile ecology of the hills.

A Moneycontrol analysis of Himachal’s district-wise tourism data shows that traditional hotspots such as Shimla may be losing their charm owing to over-crowding and tourism fatigue. Instead, newer or previously overlooked destinations are drawing more visitors.

Shimla, long regarded as the crown jewel of Himachal tourism, saw its share of domestic tourists fall to 14.3 percent in 2024, down from over 19 percent in 2016 and 22 percent in 2008. Meanwhile, Lahaul and Spiti have experienced remarkable growth in domestic tourism, thanks to improved infrastructure and connectivity, particularly the Atal Tunnel. These regions recorded over 10 lakh tourists in 2024, which is 5.8 percent of the state’s total domestic arrivals, up from just 0.5 percent in 2019.

Solan and Sirmour are also climbing the charts as weekend getaway destinations, driven by improved road access and rising investment in resorts and wellness tourism. Solan’s share doubled from 7 percent pre-pandemic to 13.3 percent in 2024. Over the past two years, Solan has attracted 49 lakh tourists, surpassing Shimla’s 47 lakh - a reversal of kinds in travel patterns.

However, one segment continues to lag. Foreign tourist arrivals remain far below pre-pandemic levels with Himachal receiving just 82,765 international tourists in 2024, a steep fall from 3.82 lakh in 2019 and over 5 lakh in 2012, pointing to a sluggish recovery in international inbound travel.

The Supreme Court’s warning has come at a critical moment, as the growing influx - particularly into ecologically sensitive areas - raises concerns over unchecked construction, water scarcity, erosion and waste management.

Himachal may not vanish from domestic travel itineraries, but some of its most popular destinations appear to be receding from prominence - both due to shifting tourist preferences and mounting pressure of unsustainable development.