As the year comes to a close, Uttarakhand’s popular hill stations are preparing for a strong New Year travel rush, with hotels across Mussoorie, Nainital, and several Kumaon towns reporting brisk bookings and expectations of near-full occupancy.

In Mussoorie, hotel occupancy has already crossed 60 percent, with hoteliers confident of a full house by New Year celebrations, driven largely by last-minute travellers. Sanjay Aggarwal, President of the Mussoorie Hotel Association, said the town traditionally sees a surge of walk-in guests during this period, with heavy occupancy expected to continue for several days.

Nainital is also witnessing a strong inflow, with nearly 70 percent of hotel rooms already booked and the remaining inventory expected to be filled shortly. Digvijay Bisht, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Nainital, said year-end travel is at its peak and hotels are preparing for a complete sell-out.

Smaller hill towns in Kumaon are seeing even sharper demand. In Munsyari, located in Pithoragarh district, all hotels and homestays are fully booked for the New Year. According to Puran Pande, President of the Munsyari Hotel Association, pleasant weather conditions compared to dense fog and cold in the plains are attracting visitors. Chaukori is also nearing full capacity, with Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam officials confirming that most rooms at their guest house have already been booked.

Hotels in Mussoorie and Nainital have enhanced festive preparations, decorating properties and offering New Year packages that include live music, gala dinners, and cultural programmes. Several hotels in Nainital have lined up Kumaoni cultural performances to add a local flavour to the celebrations.

The anticipated tourist surge has prompted heightened vigilance from the district administration and police, particularly in Nainital. Traffic diversion plans have been implemented to prevent congestion at key entry points, while tourists have been advised to use designated parking areas and shuttle services. Hoteliers have also been directed to display room rates clearly to prevent overcharging.

Kumaon Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister, Deepak Rawat, has instructed officials to strengthen traffic management and public safety measures across the region. Joint enforcement teams from police, revenue, transport, and excise departments have been directed to conduct checks to curb overloading, overspeeding, and drunken driving. He also ordered the removal of vehicles parked along roadsides to reduce accident risks amid foggy conditions.

Meanwhile, traffic congestion remains a concern on the Mussoorie–Dehradun route due to restricted movement on a temporary Bailey bridge, where vehicles face delays during peak tourist hours. Tourist movement is also expected to coincide with religious travel, with authorities in Champawat making special arrangements at the Purnagiri Temple to manage increased footfall during the New Year period.

In a significant step towards promoting science-driven and sustainable tourism, the District Tourism Department of Pithoragarh, in collaboration with Starscapes Experiences Pvt. Ltd., has inaugurated the district’s first dedicated astro-tourism observatory. The facility was inaugurated by Satpal Maharaj, Minister for Tourism, Uttarakhand, marking a new chapter in experiential tourism for the region.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ashish Kumar Bhatgain, District Magistrate, Pithoragarh; Kalpana Devlal, Mayor, Pithoragarh; and Kirti Chand Arya, District Tourism Development Officer, Pithoragarh. The observatory is envisioned as a hub for astronomy-based activities while encouraging responsible tourism and community participation.

Starscapes Experiences Pvt. Ltd., India’s leading astro-tourism company, has trained local youth as Astro Guides to conduct guided stargazing sessions and manage observatory operations. This approach integrates public infrastructure with community skill development, creating a sustainable model that supports scientific literacy, tourism growth, and local livelihood generation.

Speaking at the inauguration, Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj said, “The ideas and discussions around building observatories and promoting astro-tourism within the department have been underway for a long time, and it is extremely heartening to see this vision take tangible shape. The observatory established in Pithoragarh will not only encourage scientific activities but will also create new avenues for tourism and employment for local communities. In the coming years, the government will work towards setting up observatories at other suitable locations across the state and strengthening the foundational infrastructure required for astro-tourism.”

The observatory will host astronomy sessions, night-sky observations, and educational programmes for students, tourists, and local residents. With Pithoragarh’s natural dark skies and high-altitude geography, the initiative is expected to position the district as a key astro-tourism destination in Uttarakhand.

Highlighting the district’s vision, Kirti Chandra Arya, District Tourism Development Officer, Pithoragarh, said, “Pithoragarh’s natural dark skies offer immense potential for astro-tourism. Through this observatory and the training of local Astro Guides, the district administration aims to position Pithoragarh as a responsible and sustainable tourism destination while ensuring that local communities directly benefit from this initiative.”

Sharing insights from the industry perspective, Hem Sharma of Starscapes remarked, “Astro-tourism becomes truly impactful when world-class infrastructure is supported by well-trained local guides. By training Astro Guides for the Pithoragarh observatory, we are ensuring that scientific facilities are accessible, engaging, and professionally managed. This model not only enhances visitor experience but also creates long-term livelihood opportunities rooted in local talent.”

Lemon Tree Hotels has announced the execution of a Hotel Operation Agreement for a new property in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The upcoming hotel, Lemon Tree Suites, Tirupati, will be operated by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, under the brand name “Lemon Tree Suites”, subject to the execution of a licence agreement.

Located in one of India’s most significant spiritual destinations, Tirupati is best known for the Sri Venkateswara Temple, which attracts millions of devotees each year. Set amid the Eastern Ghats, the town offers a unique blend of spiritual heritage, cultural richness, and natural serenity. Its well-developed pilgrim infrastructure and growing tourism ecosystem make it an important destination for both religious and leisure travellers.

Lemon Tree Suites, Tirupati will feature 228 rooms and suites designed to cater to pilgrims, leisure guests, and business travellers alike. The hotel will include a restaurant, banquet facilities, a meeting room, a swimming pool, and a spa, offering a well-rounded hospitality experience in the city.

The property enjoys convenient connectivity, with Tirupati International Airport located approximately 10 kilometres away and Tirupati Railway Station about 6.3 kilometres from the hotel. The location is easily accessible through both public and private transport, making it suitable for high-volume tourist and pilgrimage travel.

Commenting on the development, Vilas Pawar, CEO – Managed and Franchise Business, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, “With this signing, we are pleased to extend our pilgrimage portfolio in a place that holds deep spiritual resonance. Moreover, the vibrant tourism, rich cuisine, and growing hotel infrastructure make Andhra Pradesh a magnet for tourism travellers seeking unforgettable experiences.” He added that the state currently has six operational and three upcoming Lemon Tree Hotels.

This signing reflects Lemon Tree Hotels’ continued focus on expanding its footprint across high-demand destinations while strengthening its presence in culturally and spiritually significant locations across India.