The Indian tourism ministry is on a mission to change the perception of India being too hot for tourists during the summer months. With the launch of the ‘Cool Summers of India’ campaign, the focus is on developing lesser-known destinations with pleasant weather to attract foreign tourists.
Instead of the overcrowded hill stations like Shimla and Manali, efforts are now being made to promote places like Bir Billing, Kinnaur, Dalhousie, and Tirthan in Himachal Pradesh, Patnitop in Jammu & Kashmir, Auli in Uttarakhand, Wayanad in Kerala, Thenzawl in Mizoram, and Kurseong in West Bengal.
The tourism ministry, in collaboration with state governments and Union territories, has identified over 50 destinations to actively promote as tourist attractions. This initiative is expected to not only decongest popular tourist spots but also create a demand for infrastructure development in these lesser-known places.
With a surge in foreign tourist arrivals in 2023 and an increasing interest in cooler destinations, the travel industry in India is gearing up for a busy summer season. Popular travel portals like Booking.com and MakeMyTrip are already witnessing a significant rise in searches and travel bookings for destinations like Ooty, Manali, Munnar, and Srinagar.
While accessibility to some hilly destinations remains a challenge, the tourism ministry remains optimistic about the connectivity of these places to major cities via roads and national highways. With the right promotion and support, India is poised to become a year-round tourist destination for both luxury travelers and homestay enthusiasts.