Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:49pm on 31 Dec 2023,Sunday India
Shimla, famed for its picturesque New Year celebrations, experienced an unexpected dip with a mere 50-60% occupancy, marking the lowest in four decades. Despite the Winter Carnival's vibrant display along the Mall Road and The Ridge, hotel bookings fell short of expectations. The anticipation of a 'white New Year' was met with disappointment as the likelihood of snowfall remained bleak. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's directive to welcome tourists with warmth and leniency towards revelers did not translate into increased occupancy. Stakeholders attribute the decline to unregistered tourism units, capturing tourists, and adverse social media publicity causing diversions to alternative destinations.
