Bir-Billing Soars High as Summer Rush Brings Record Paragliding Flights
The summer tourist season has taken off in style at Bir-Billing, with the popular paragliding hub in Kangra district witnessing a sharp surge in visitors. The scenic valley was buzzing with excitement over the weekend as more than 300 paragliding flights were conducted in a single day, making it one of the busiest days of the season so far.
Adventure lovers from across the country flocked to Bir-Billing for the thrill of tandem paragliding, filling the skies with colourful gliders. According to reports, over 300 tourists experienced flights on Sunday alone, a clear sign that the summer rush is gaining momentum.
Adding to the excitement, several foreign pilots have also arrived in the region to fly at what is widely regarded as one of the world’s top paragliding destinations. Known for hosting international-level competitions, Bir-Billing continues to draw aviation enthusiasts and thrill-seekers from around the globe.
Tourists are not limiting themselves to paragliding alone. Many visitors are also exploring nearby attractions such as the picturesque Rajgundha valley and other scenic spots, further enhancing the overall travel experience. The rise in tourist numbers has provided a welcome boost to the local hospitality sector.
With more than 200 hotels, guest houses and hostels in Bir, many establishments reported high occupancy during the weekend. Local business owners said the sudden jump in footfall has brought cheer to everyone dependent on tourism for their livelihood.
Around 300 registered local pilots are currently engaged in tandem flying operations, keeping pace with the growing demand. Bir Hotel and Restaurant Association president Satish Awasthi said the strong weekend turnout had injected fresh energy into the local economy. He added that the benefits of the tourism boom are being felt well beyond hotels, helping taxi drivers, café owners, shopkeepers and other service providers.
The lively scene in Bir-Billing stands in contrast to several other tourist destinations in Kangra district, where hotel occupancy remained relatively low at around 40 per cent on Sunday. Stakeholders from Palampur, Kangra and Dharamsala said the season has not yet picked up as expected in those areas.
Still, there is optimism in the air. With temperatures rising in the plains and summer vacations approaching, tourism representatives are hopeful that visitor numbers will increase in the coming days. Destinations like Bir-Billing, Dharamsala, McLeodganj and Palampur are expected to see stronger inflows soon, paving the way for a broader revival of tourism-led business activity across the region.
