As the final days of the year approach, the popular hill destinations of Uttarakhand are witnessing a massive surge in tourist bookings, with hotels and homestays across Mussoorie, Nainital, and smaller Kumaon towns reporting near-full occupancy for the New Year weekend. The scenic escape from the foggy and cold plains is driving a significant year-end travel peak to the state's mountains.
Hill Stations Report Brisk Bookings and Full Houses
In Mussoorie, hotel occupancy has already surpassed the 60% mark. Hoteliers are confident of achieving a complete sell-out by December 31, largely fueled by last-minute travelers and walk-in guests. Sanjay Aggarwal, President of the Mussoorie Hotel Association, stated that the town expects heavy tourist occupancy from New Year's Eve until January 4.
Nainital is experiencing an even stronger rush, with approximately 70% of hotel rooms already reserved. The remaining inventory is expected to be snapped up in the coming days. Digvijay Bisht, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Nainital, expressed confidence in a complete sell-out by December 31, citing peak year-end travel.
The demand is even more pronounced in the quieter hill towns of the Kumaon region. In Munsyari (Pithoragarh district), all hotels and homestays are completely sold out for the New Year period. Puran Pande, president of the Munsyari Hotel Association, attributed this to the pleasant weather, which offers a stark contrast to the dense fog and biting cold of the plains. Chaukori is also nearing full capacity, with officials from the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) confirming almost all rooms at its guest house are booked.
Festive Preparations and Enhanced Safety Measures
Hotels in Mussoorie and Nainital have ramped up their festive ambiance, decorating properties and curating special New Year's Eve packages featuring live music and gala dinners. In Nainital, several establishments have planned Kumaoni cultural performances to add a local flavour to the celebrations.
The anticipated influx has prompted district administrations and police to heighten vigilance. In Nainital, a traffic diversion plan has been implemented to prevent congestion at key entry points like Kaladhungi and Haldwani. Tourists are advised to use designated parking areas and shuttle services, while hoteliers have been directed to prominently display rate lists to prevent overcharging.
Deepak Rawat, Kumaon Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister, has issued comprehensive instructions to strengthen traffic management and public safety. He directed joint enforcement teams from police, revenue, transport, and excise departments to conduct intensive vehicle checks to curb overloading, overspeeding, and drunken driving, with all actions to be documented with photographic evidence. Given the persistent dense fog in the plains, Rawat also ordered the immediate removal of vehicles parked along roadsides to reduce accident risks. He further mandated that all New Year party venues ensure functional fire safety systems and adequate parking.
Traffic Challenges and Overlapping Crowds
Traffic congestion remains a concern, particularly on the Mussoorie–Dehradun route. A makeshift Bailey bridge, erected after the original was washed away in the September cloudburst, allows only one-way movement at a time. During peak tourist inflow, vehicles have been facing queues of 30 to 45 minutes, posing a challenge amid the festive rush.
The tourist movement is also expected to overlap with religious travel. In Champawat, the Purnagiri Temple committee is preparing for a surge of devotees. The temple will remain open round the clock on December 31 and until 10 pm on January 1, with additional arrangements being made for crowd management.
