Dharamshala, Feb. 18 -- After a tough couple of months to start the year, the tourist footfall in Himachal is expected to rise from March.

Hoteliers from Himachal said the occupancy, which peaked after the snowfall in December and was nearly at 100% of New Year's eve, has seen a slump since. They attributed the decline to scarce snowfall and the Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.

On New Year's eve, hotel occupancy was nearly 100% in Shimla and close to 80% at other major tourist destinations.

While December last year saw excess precipitation, January this year recorded the ninth-lowest rainfall in the state since 1901. The precipitation remains less in February so far as well.

Shimla Hotels and Tourism Stakeholders Association he...