In a strong move to manage the rising number of tourists and reduce overcrowding, the Uttarakhand tourism department has launched a new rule for hotels, guesthouses, and homestays in Mussoorie. From now on, all these places will have to register their guests on a new tourism portal. This rule came into effect on Wednesday and is part of a larger effort to deal with the problems caused by over tourism in the popular hill station.
Mussoorie has seen a major rise in tourist footfall over the past two years. In 2022, around 11 lakh people visited the town, but by 2024, that number jumped to more than 21 lakhs. With so many visitors, the town’s roads, hotels, and other services have been under huge pressure. Traffic jams have become a daily issue, especially during weekends and holidays. The new guest registration system is meant to help track the number of tourists entering the town so that better planning and crowd management can be done.
According to tourism officials, hotels and homestays must now collect guest details at the time of check-in and enter them on the portal. This is being done following the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which directed the state to keep a record of visitor data to control congestion and maintain the town’s environmental balance. To begin, hotel owners must register their property on the portal, giving details like owner’s name and contact number, number of rooms, guest capacity, and type of property. Once that’s complete, they can begin registering guests every time someone checks in.
Not everyone is happy with the new rules. While the Mussoorie Hotels Association has asked all its members to follow the process, some hotel owners feel that it may become too time-consuming, especially during the tourist season when guest check-ins are already overwhelming. One hotelier said it might be a “hindrance” in busy periods, though he chose not to be named.
Along with hotel registration, the government is also working on a pre-registration system for tourists themselves. During peak times, visitors might be required to fill out an online form before arriving. They will need to provide their name, contact details, vehicle number, stay details, and travel dates. After submitting the form, they’ll get a QR code which must be shown at check posts like Kempty Falls, Kimadi, or Kuthal Gate. These check posts will scan the QR code and verify vehicle details using ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras. This step is expected to be used only during very crowded times, not throughout the year. The push for such measures comes after several reports of overcrowding and safety issues. Authorities believe that better monitoring and planning can help avoid such tragedies.
