TNR Desk
SHIMLA: As the countdown to the New Year begins, hotels in Shimla are ready to host special celebrations. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has organised a vibrant New Year programme at its Hotel Holiday Home, featuring a variety of activities and culinary delights.
Gopal Sood, Deputy General Manager of Hotel Holiday Home, said the hotel would serve a diverse menu, including Indian, Continental, Chinese and local Himachali dishes. The event promises to be a blend of fine dining and entertainment, with unlimited entertainment available to guests. The evening will feature DJ music, balloon dance, lemon dance, kids’ dance and male-female solo dances. Prizes and surprises await attendees, adding to the festive spirit, he said.
The New Year celebration at Hotel Holiday Home is exclusively designed for families and couples, ensuring a delightful and safe environment. The venue also provides convenient parking facilities for the vehicles of guests. In addition to the government-sponsored event, private hotels across the town are making their own preparations for special New Year parties, offering a variety of entertainment and dining options.
60% occupancy in hotels
Despite the festive ambiance, Shimla seems to be experiencing a milder tourist influx compared to previous years. Current hotel occupancy stands at approximately 60 per cent, marking a noticeable decrease from the bustling Christmas season when hotels reached around 90 per cent occupancy.
Rakesh Chandel, a hotelier, attributed the lower turnout to the absence of snowfall, a significant draw for visitors during the winter season. He noted that the city is currently attracting shorter-stay tourists, emphasising the need for strategic initiatives to prolong their stays.
As the clock ticks toward midnight, Shimla anticipates an increase in tourist numbers, particularly from neighboring states as revellers arrive to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new amidst the charming hills and festive atmosphere.
