Dharamsala tourism gets boost from Dalai Lama’s stay

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Followers from India and abroad visit McLeodganj for his teachings and audience

Dharamsala, September 24

The Dalai Lama’s stays in Dharamsala and McLeodganj provide a boost to local tourism, with hotel occupancy rising to around 50 to 70 per cent, according to Rahul Dhiman, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association Smart City Dharamsala-McLeodganj.

Dhiman said the Tibetan spiritual leader’s presence attracted a large number of followers from across India and abroad, benefitting hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses in the region.

He said followers from various parts of the country, particularly South India, Delhi and Leh-Ladakh, visited McLeodganj to attend the Dalai Lama’s teachings and seek his audience.

“A large number of followers come to Dharamsala from different parts of the country and abroad during the Dalai Lama’s stay,” Dhiman said, adding that their arrival had a direct impact on local tourism businesses.

International visitors also formed a significant part of the tourist footfall during the spiritual leader’s stay, he added.

Dhiman said tourism operators were expecting more foreign followers to arrive in the region for the proposed audience with the Dalai Lama in November.

The increased footfall also benefitted restaurants and other businesses linked to tourism, he said.

According to Dhiman, the Dalai Lama’s presence continued to support tourism activity in Dharamsala, with thousands of followers visiting the region every year.