Snowfall in Shimla has brought the long wait for white flakes to an end. After a brief spell on Wednesday night, fresh snow started on Thursday afternoon.

Snowfall also started in Shimla's surrounding areas, including Kufri and Naldehra. Tourists, who had come to Shimla, were delighted to find white flakes covering the tourist town of Kufri during the morning hours. In the afternoon, Shimla was also lashed by snow.

"Shimla cannot be imagined without snow during winters. Snow gives a majestic look to the town," Atul Gautam, a hotelier from Shimla said. He added that after disappointing tourists during Christmas and New Year, Shimla has finally received winter's first snow which would bring more tourists to the town.

Delayed snowfall has already hit the tourism sector hard as majority of tourists this year headed for Kashmir. But the fresh spell of snow has brought some hope to the tourism industry as it can expect more rush of tourist to Shimla and its adjoining areas.

A hotelier from Kufri said this winter Shimla has witnessed less number of tourists. "Majority have headed either for Kashmir or Manali," he added.