The decrease in the number of foreign trekkers on the famous trekking routes of Himachal is pinching the tourism industry of the state this season. Despite peak trekking season, most routes are wearing a deserted look and cancellations of tours are continuing.

After the slowdown in domestic tourism, very few tourists from abroad are daring to visit the mountainous regions in north India, in the wake of the recent devastation in Uttarakhand and Kinnaur. Rumors about landslides, rigorous monsoon and dozens of cloudbursts in Himachal is another reason that tourists from abroad are concerned about, prompting cancellation of their Himachal visit. According to travel agents, dozens of cancellations are taking place every day.

Spiti circuit of Himachal, famous among foreign tourists, is the most affected, having seen a sharp drop in tourist arrivals this year. Bhaba pass trek, Kanamo peak trek, Prang La treks, Pangpo, Pin Valley and Sara Umga pass are the popular treks of Spiti valley among foreign trekkers. But all these routes have been left longing for guests from abroad this time around as per a report in TOI.

"There is no particular reason behind the drop in arrival of tourists from abroad, but we have many hunches. The international media presented cloudbursts and floods in some parts of India in a way that visiting hills here seemed not less than jumping into hell," a tour operator said. According to him, very few tourists have reached Himachal this year and several jeep safari and bike tours on Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti have already been cancelled. "We have got very few trekking expeditions this year," he added.

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