Snowfall in Dharamsala

Dharamsala, Feb 10 (ANI): A fresh spell of snowfall here spread a wave of cheer among not just tourists, presently visiting the State, but also hoteliers in Dharamsala.

Hoteliers here expect an encouraging turnout of tourists to experience the snowfall over the next couple of weeks.

"Dharamsala has recently experienced heavy snowfall which will turn out to be a fortune spinner for people engaged in business like tourism, hotelier, travel agents, drivers and taxi operators. They are very elated with the coming of snowfall. Now they are hoping for more tourists and a rise in tourism due to this snowfall," said Narendra Kanwar, a local.

Snow bodes well for the tourism industry of Himachal Pradesh and in fact, it is the backbone of the state's economy.

More than three million tourists visit the state annually.

Surrounded by lofty peaks Dharamsala also doubles up as a winter getaway for tourists from adjoining plains and peninsular India who have rarely experienced snowfall.

Among other popular tourist spots in Himachal Pradesh are Kinnaur, Manali in Kullu, and Narkanda in Shimla district, which reportedly received snowfall ranging from 90 to 120 centimetres.

In the upper reaches beyond Manali, the snowfall was said to be between 120 to 210 centimetres. (ANI)