India travel alert: Planning a Mussoorie holiday? New tourist rule to ease crowd
Tourist registration portal launched to streamline Mussoorie visits
Travellers heading to the Indian hill station of Mussoorie will soon have to register online before their visit, under a new rule set to take effect from August 1, 2025.
The move, announced by the Uttarakhand government, is designed to manage swelling tourist numbers and reduce traffic bottlenecks in the region.
According to a PTI report, the state has launched a dedicated portalfor mandatory visitor registration.
Tourist numbers have nearly doubled
District Tourism Officer Brijendra Pandey told PTI the measure was necessary after the number of visitors to Mussoorie nearly doubled between 2022 and 2024.
“This move will provide real-time data on tourist footfall,” Pandey said, adding that all hotels, homestays, and guest houses have been instructed to verify guest registration via the platform.
How to register for your Mussoorie trip
Travellers — both domestic and international — must complete the following steps:
Visit the official website registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/mussoorie
(Also accessible via verified government portals)
Enter key travel details
Full name
Indian mobile number (or email ID for international tourists)
Arrival and departure dates
Number of travellers
Vehicle number plate (if travelling by personal vehicle)
Verify with OTP
Indian nationals will receive an OTP via SMS; foreigners via email.
Get your QR code
The system will generate a unique QR code, which must be shown at:
Town entry checkpoints
Hotel check-ins
Major tourist sites like Mall Road and Kempty Falls
Why this matters
Authorities say the system is designed to:
Control peak-hour traffic
Streamline sanitation and emergency services
Improve facilities like waste disposal, parking, and public toilets through better planning
Pushback from hoteliers and locals
However, not everyone supports the initiative. According to The New Indian Express, Digvijay Singh Bisht, President of the Nainital Hotel Association, raised logistical concerns:
“Thousands come daily to the District Court and other government offices. Nainital has over 7,000 households. How will we separate tourists from daily commuters?”
Other industry voices flagged:
Difficulties for small lodges in verifying every visitor
Complications for last-minute travellers
Enforcement gaps in narrow or remote areas
What tourists need to do
For now, travellers are advised to register online in advance and carry their QR code to avoid entry delays or accommodation issues. The government said it may adjust the rules based on feedback from tourism stakeholders.
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