MANALI: A sharp rise in tourist arrivals over the weekend has led to traffic congestion between Palchan and Manali, with long queues of vehicles seen on the route as visitors from different parts of the country flock to the hill station to escape the intense summer heat prevailing in the plains. Tourists from states such as Rajasthan and Punjab have been arriving in large numbers, leading to a significant increase in hotel bookings across the region, according to news agency ANI. Many hotels are expected to reach full occupancy in the coming days as the tourist season gathers momentum. The surge in footfall has also brought renewed activity to local markets, restaurants and tourism-related businesses, with popular attractions witnessing heavy crowds throughout the weekend. Ram Sahay Meena, a tourist from Rajasthan’s Tonk district, said soaring temperatures in his hometown prompted him to travel to Manali.“In our area, the temperature has gone above 50 degrees Celsius. The weather in Manali is very pleasant and cool. We faced traffic congestion at a few places on the way, but Manali is a wonderful place to visit,” he said. Bhagyashree Jangid, another visitor from Rajasthan, said she travelled to Himachal Pradesh to get relief from the extreme heat conditions.“We decided to come to Himachal to get relief from the severe heat. We were stuck in traffic for around two to two-and-a-half hours before reaching Manali, but the natural beauty and weather here attract tourists from all over the country,” she said. Visitors from neighbouring states have also contributed to the increased tourist traffic. Manchu, a tourist from Jalandhar, said he was visiting Manali with friends and planned to explore nearby destinations.“We have come to Manali with friends and plan to visit Chandratal Lake tomorrow. At present, traffic movement in Manali is normal and the weather is favourable for tourists,” he said. With tourist arrivals continuing to rise over the weekend, stakeholders in the tourism sector remain optimistic about strong business prospects in the coming weeks. The influx of visitors is expected to provide a boost to hotels, transport operators, local traders and other businesses dependent on tourism as travellers continue to seek respite from the summer heat.SP Kullu, Madan Lal Kaushal said, “The tourist influx has increased a lot… 25 to 27,000 big and small vehicles have entered here… Tourists are visiting here peacefully… We have deployed 60 to 70 of our personnel in Manali… The district police has deployed 150 police personnel and home guards… We appeal to the tourists not to overtake.”