Tourism Slumps in the Hills: May-June Season Off to a Disappointing Start

Mussoorie, May 18 — The usually bustling hill stations of Uttarakhand are facing an unprecedented tourism crisis this year. Following the recent Pahalgam attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, fear and uncertainty have gripped travelers, leading to mass cancellations across the region. Despite a temporary ceasefire, tourists have remained wary, choosing to stay away from the hills during what is traditionally peak season.

According to recent tourism data, destinations such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, and the Char Dham circuit — which typically see near 100% occupancy in May — are currently operating at just 40% occupancy, and that too mostly on weekends. The situation in Mussoorie, one of the most popular summer destinations, is no different.

Local hotel and homestay owners report an unusually quiet season. June, which is normally fully booked months in advance, is already seeing large-scale cancellations. “Yesterday was Saturday, and we were offering rooms at half the usual rate. Still, the occupancy remained only around 50%. Today is Sunday, and most guests have already checked out,” said a hotelier in Mussoorie.

The impact is being felt across the board — from hotels to taxis to local shops. Business owners say this slump has put their livelihoods at serious risk. Many of them rely heavily on the income generated during May and June to sustain their operations throughout the year.

"June is our main earning month. If this month fails, it’s a loss that can’t be recovered even with year-round hard work," said a guesthouse operator. Empty hotel rooms, vacant parking spaces, deserted markets, and quiet restaurants paint a bleak picture of what should have been the most profitable period of the year.

Local business communities are now urging the government to intervene by offering relief in electricity and water bills to help offset the financial strain. Taxi drivers, too, are echoing the same concerns, with drastically reduced tourist traffic cutting into their daily income.

While stakeholders continue to hope for a turnaround in the coming weeks, the slow start to the season has already cast a long shadow over the year’s tourism prospects. For many in Mussoorie and beyond, it’s not just about tourists — it’s about survival.

— Reported by : Rajat Sharma