50,000 tourists arrives in Shimla for New Year celebration

Dharamsala, December 31, 2013: With revelers from across the country making a beeline for tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh, expecting snowfall on December 31, hotels are packed to capacity in Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala, Dalhousie and Chamba.
In Shimla alone around 50,000 tourists are expected on December 31. To make the celebrations memorable for revelers, hotels have readied themselves with attractions like dine-and-dance events, bonfires, folk dances and DJ shows. With over 90% rooms booked in advance in Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala, Dalhousie and Chamba, hoteliers are all smiles as New Year celebrations have rejuvenated the ailing tourism industry. In Shimla though missing snowfall on Christmas had left revelers dejected, now expectation of snowfall on December 31 has increased manifold with weather officials predicting rain and snow in Shimla on the last day of the year.
For the entertainment of tourists, cultural programmes would be held at the Ridge and Mall Road in Shimla, which would start from Tuesday afternoon and would continue till midnight. Folk singers and some Bollywood singers too would perform for revelers. Tourists will be able to enjoy in the ice-skating rink as well. As Mall Road will be the main celebration point in Shimla, police have already finalised security arrangements. According to police sources, around 50,000 tourists are expected to arrive in Shimla for New Year celebration. With tourist rush increasing, tourists are being fleeced by hoteliers and parking contractors. In Shimla alone 88 hotels have been issued notices for violations. A senior tourism official said that on receiving complaint of overcharging from tourists, action is being initiated against hotels.