A crowd of tourists at The Ridge in Shimla on Saturday. Photo: Amit Kanwar
Bhanu P Lohumi
Shimla, April 16
Hotels in Shimla were packed to capacity during the ongoing long weekend. A large number of tourists made a beeline for Shimla to get respite from the scorching heat in the plains. Over 15,200 vehicles have entered Shimla since Thursday.
The hotel occupancy was almost 100 per cent and tourists were advised to book rooms in advance to avoid inconvenience as a good season is expected during the summer, said Prince Kukreja, vice-president of the Shimla Hotel and Restaurant Association.
Book in advance
Hotel occupancy is almost 100 per cent and tourists have been advised to book rooms in advance to avoid inconvenience — Prince Kukreja, vice-president, —Shimla hotel association
MK Seth, president, Tourism Industry Stakeholders Association, said, “To make the visit of tourists hassle-free, we have suggested the police to allow Tempo Travellers in the city and the parking of coaches on the roof of the Lift parking.
Covid restrictions are over and tourists are thronging hill stations as the mercury is rising in the plains. Queries and bookings for accommodation are pouring in and the Tourism Department is promoting unexplored rural destinations to reduce stress on the main hill towns.
Over 15,200 vehicles entered Shimla from the Shoghi barrier from 8 am on April 14 till 4 pm today. The police have advised tourists to keep in mind the heavy rush before planning their journeys this weekend. Due to the heavy rush of vehicles, traffic was moving at a snail’s pace on several stretches and parking places such as The Lift turned into bottlenecks.
However, touts had a field day as rooms were not available and tourists complained of fleecing by them. “We were promised a room for Rs 2,400 by a tout but we paid Rs 4,600 for one night stay yesterday,” said a tourist from Delhi.
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