Post Diwali, tourists from Delhi, Haryana rush to Himachal hills

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, November 5

To escape the mounting air pollution after Diwali in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), Punjab and Haryana, tourists have made a beeline for the hills.

Hotels and homestays in tourist destinations such as Chail, Kasauli and their precincts have registered a good occupancy at the weekend. Though the tourist season took a beating in the last few days, bookings have once again gone up during the Diwali weekend.

Devinder Verma, owner of two hotels at Chail, said, “At this weekend, luxury hotels saw 80-95 per cent occupancy in Chail and its surrounding areas, as high-end tourists from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi NCR chose to go to hills to escape the air pollution of the plains.”

However, the budget-hotels did not attract many tourists and their occupancy was merely 40 to 50 per cent.

The homestays spread across the hills around Kasauli are in demand. They were booked well in advance before Diwali as it gets difficult to find a place of choice later, says Girish, a Delhi resident, who has been heading to the hills since the last year.

“I had gone to Uttarakhand last year. This year, I chose to spend the weekend in Kasauli with my family after Diwali. In Delhi, air pollution is at its worst after Diwali, and harmful for children and the elderly suffering from asthma or other lung diseases,” said Girish.

Perched on an elevation of 2,250 m, Chail is particularly in demand by those wanting a quiet sojourn, away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. “Chail is an apt destination to spend a weekend in clean and green surroundings, in contrast to the pollution-ridden Punjab, where burning of stubble and Diwali celebrations trouble people,” quipped Balwinder from Patiala.

“Occupancy was cent per cent in luxury hotels in Kasauli at this weekend and advance bookings were made by tourists from Delhi NCR,” said Rocky Chimni, Vice President, Kasauli Residents’ and Hoteliers’ Association.

“The air quality in the hills offers a respite to people from the plains. Despite tall claims by the Delhi Government to check air pollution, the condition worsens after the festival. It is wise to go out for a holiday,” said Anjali from Delhi.

Influx at luxury stays

As per hoteliers, luxury hotels saw 80-95% occupancy in Chail. The budget-hotels did not attract many tourists and their occupancy was merely 40-50%

Prefer clean surroundings

Chail is an apt place to spend a weekend in clean surroundings, in contrast to the pollution-ridden Punjab, where burning of stubble and Diwali celebrations trouble people. Balwinder, resident of Patiala