Dharamshala, Dec. 31 -- With IMD predicting rain and snowfall at many places of the hill state on December 31 and January 1, the tourist footfall has started flocking Himachal with a hope of witnessing a white new year.

Mainly the Kullu-Manali and adjoining regions have witnessed a sharp rise with thousands of vehicles are making a beeline every day, thus also increasing the hotel occupancy. Meanwhile, the stakeholders are hopeful that hotel occupancy will also increase in other tourist destinations, including Shimla and Dharamshala.

Tourists and local stakeholders are keenly awaiting snowfall, which is likely to give a further push to tourism by facilitating snow-based activities. President of Manali hoteliers' association Roshan Thaku...