Find out hotel occupancy, weather status in Shimla this weekend

Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, June 6

To avoid the searing heat in the plains, tourists these days are making a beeline to Himachal capital Shimla and hoteliers are doing a roaring business.

The room occupancy in Shimla currently is around 90 per cent and tourists are advised to make advance bookings so that they are not fleeced by unregistered tourist guides and touts, says Sanjay Sood, president of Shimla Hoteliers and Restaurants Association.

He says that fortunately, there is no water shortage in the town as the supply has been increased from 45 MLD to 50 MLD this year. Also, all roads in and around Shimla are open to traffic.

Hotel rooms are available ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 40,000 per day and due to peak season the rates of home-stay units have also gone up and the accommodation is available on demand. Multi-storey parking lots have come up at the ISBT crossing and the Lift accommodating over 2,500 vehicles.  

The weather is cloudy and stormy conditions prevail in the town but the tourists are enjoying it. The local MeT office has predicted rain or thunderstorm in Shimla and other mid-hills on Friday and from June 10 to 13. The weather will remain dry on June 8 and 9.

Most of the hotels in the heart of the town are packed to capacity and tourists are advised to confirm booking before coming to Shimla. They can check the booking status on the Himachal Tourism site; most hotels also have their booking status online. The town is bustling with activity; the ongoing Summer Festival being another attraction for tourists.

“We have started a heritage tour and a heritage walk was organised from Scandal Point to Chaura Maidan for tourists and locals alike on Thursday. The idea is to acquaint the people with the importance and history of heritage buildings of Shimla, said Tourism Industry Stakeholders Association president MK Seth.