With 2020, a year that will be obviously remembered for the wrong reasons, is now over. Industry experts opine that 2021 will be the year for travel, as an increasingly number of countries are coming out of the pandemic effects. The travel industry will bounce back amidst the prevailing cloud of uncertainty and turmoil. In other words, it’s definitely not the end of the road for travel and tours. Travel agencies and tour operators are now starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, with leisure and business travel picking up after the rather long hiatus owing to successive COVID-19 lockdowns. 

Travelling to hill stations across the length and breadth of the country remained a distant dream during the lockdowns. In fact, almost every hill station remained close shunting tourists from travel activities to check the furtherance of the pandemic. Locals are also at greater health risk when they get in contact with tourists. In India, most state governments have gradually relaxed the lockdown restrictions, the result of which tourists can visit their favourite hill stations, yet following social distancing norms and maintaining hygiene as per COVID-19 protocols such as wearing masks and gloves and use of sanitizers to contain the pandemic. Many hill stations allow domestic tourists with package or pre-booked tours to enter the state only if they produce COVID-19 negative certificates at the border check posts.

All said and done, the gorgeous hill stations of India are calling tourists again to explore their picturesque beauty, and rest on the lap of Mother Nature. At a time when there have been millions of job layoffs in the travel sector, resuming travel operations will be a big boost to the local economy, either directly or indirectly.  If you have been craving for a hot cuppa with a green topped or snow-peaked mountain view, now is the time to make a move!