Demand picks up, long weekend brings cheer to Kasauli, Chail hoteliers

Tribune News Service

Ambika Sharma

Solan, April 12

Long weekend has brought cheer to the hoteliers with nearly 80-90 per cent occupancy registered at Kasauli and Chail.

Owing to the pandemic, after two years of disruption in tourism, the hoteliers are hoping to do good business with tourists rushing to hills.

Also read: Long weekend: 80% hotels booked in Shimla, Manali

With Kasauli emerging as a key wedding destination, top hotels have been booked for weddings from April 14. Though several new hotels have come up in the last few years, the demand for premier hotels has surpassed the availability.

“We are getting queries from senior officials to adjust top bureaucrats from Delhi and other places as there is little availability. As against least occupancy during the Navratri fortnight, the demand has increased,” said Kasauli Residents and Hoteliers’ Association vice-president Rocky Chimni.

The hoteliers, however, rued that the state government had failed to spruce up roads leading to Kasauli. “Despite repeated requests to the Public Works Department (PWD) staff, roads leading to Kasauli are still pothole-ridden. Even Kasauli town presents a picture of neglect as the condition of roads is pitiable,” said Chimni.

Summers also exposed these tourist towns to water shortage as hoteliers have to make their own water arrangement for the increasing number of guests.

Notwithstanding its tall claims, the state government has failed to promote tourism. Lack of adequate police force to manage traffic during the weekends is another challenge.

“Though staff from police stations and posts will be pressed to manage traffic during the long weekend, no additional force has been provided in view of the tourist season,” said Parwanoo DSP Yogesh Rolta.

Since traffic jams are witnessed even on the Kalka-Shimla national highway, apt traffic management is the need of the hour on the highway.

Traffic management is particularly required on Garkhal junction enroute Dharampur-Kasauli where five narrow roads converge. The narrow junction, riddled with encroachments, often makes it difficult for vehicles to wade through with ease. “No Bypass has been conceived to decongest this junction despite voluminous increase in the vehicles,” said Aman, a local resident.

Hoteliers are equally buoyed in Chail for the long weekend where nearly 80 per cent occupancy has been registered. Chail Hoteliers’ Association president Devinder Verma said: “Bookings have been received from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, etc., for three to four days which is heartening as against the usual day or two.”

Potholed roads a concern

The hoteliers, however, rue that the state government failed to spruce up roads leading to Kasauli. “Despite repeated requests to the PWD staff, roads leading to Kasauli are still pothole-ridden. Even Kasauli town presents a picture of neglect as the condition of roads is pitiable,” said Kasauli Residents and Hoteliers' Association vice-president Rocky Chimni.

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