Working in the Himalayas is a new trend that attracts many tourists from all over India to enjoy long labor holidays.
This is a popular tourism initiative in the Himalayas, attracting people across the country on long vacations and combined work. This model not only brings vitality to guests, but also helps small travel operators struggling because Covid-19 exists.
According to Kiki Mathawan, founder of the project Work from Moutain (WFM), it allows tourists to enjoy their vacation while working in the highlands. Before the pandemic, he used to organize mountain treks in the area.
"Even after the blockade is lifted, companies still allow employees to work from home. So I thought, why don't we take them to the mountains where they can focus on the public. But also away from their normal environment? This is not a normal vacation where you try to get away from the outside world, turn off your phone, "says Kiki Mathawan.
First time proposing to welcome guests to this mountain, Mathawan received mixed opinions from local people. They fear that customers will come. One of the first hotel owners to participate in the project with Mathawan was shunned by villagers for fear of infection.
"The villagers thought he would spread the virus by picking up visitors. But now, people have adapted to the new situation. People have wavered to realize that tourists coming to work may bring in." income for them ".
The new trend is helping to change the tourism face of the Himalayas. Before, people came to climb mountains and left, but now they make this place a residence. Photo vnexpress.net
In September 2020, the first month after the government eased travel restrictions, the Himalayan town of Shimla welcomed more than 21,000 tourists. Manali welcomes 15,000 people. December 2020 and January 2021, Shimla welcomes the number of visitors up to 500,000 people, this is also the festive season.
To date, Mathawan has welcomed more than 500 groups of working tourists - couples, families, groups of friends and colleagues - and more and more hotels are embracing the idea. Local tourism businesses are receiving more and more requests from tourists wanting to work in the mountains. Local hoteliers also enthusiastically promote their services.
When going up the mountain to resort to combining work, visitors are interested in internet service with stable connection. So Mathawan works with hoteliers to prioritize addressing this need and improving the interiors of tenant rooms. Photo vnexpress.vn
Arnav Mathur, a content creation traveler from the capital for the second month Delhia is in Manali, a resort town located in the Himalayas, said: "This is a big trend in India "People are renting apartments and houses to stay longer. They go to cafes and restaurants in their spare time."
With its snow-capped mountains, mountain hikes and charming landscapes, India's Himalaya is a year-round international and domestic attraction before the pandemic.
In addition, the road to three famous tourist spots next to the mountain range, Shimla, Dehradun and Manali, is very convenient, with short and affordable flights, and buses departing from many cities. In 2019, more than 16.8 million tourists visited Himachal Pradesh, a state located in the heart of the Himalayas. Tourism accounts for 7% of the statewide GDP.
However, the situation changed dramatically in March 2020, when India started a strict nationwide blockade for 70 days in an effort to control the spread of the epidemic. Visitor arrivals to Himachal Pradesh plummeted, with hoteliers struggling when businesses shut down. WFM is one of the initiatives to help the local tourism industry revive.
