Shimla to host winter carnival from December 24

The third edition of the Shimla Winter Carnival is set to begin from December 24 at the historic Ridge and The Mall. The event will feature performances by renowned artistes from across the country and local performers, along with a food festival, a fashion show and other attractions.

As per the Municipal Corporation officials, the preparations for the carnival are in full swing. The officials revealed that the town will be decked up with colourful lights and other decorative items.

Mayor Surinder Chauhan said discussions regarding the outline of the event with the officials concerned are underway and will be finalised soon. He said the list of star performers is also being prepared. Each night will feature different entertainment performances in which local artistes will also get an opportunity to showcase their talent.

Chauhan added that the carnival is being planned in such a way that every person, who will be coming to the town during the Christmas and New Year holiday season, will get a memorable and entertaining experience.

“Every year, lakhs of people from across the country visit Shimla during this time of the year and the winter carnival, which is being held in the town for the past few years, serves as a great medium of entertainment and fun activities for the tourists,” he said.

‘Ensure best facilities to tourists during snowfall’

Tourism and Civil Aviation Director Vivek Bhatia today appealed to all tourism stakeholders to ensure top-notch facilities as well as necessary assistance to tourists during snowfall in the winter season.

Chairing a meeting of the stakeholders, he said everyone must work together to make the experience of tourists visiting Shimla district pleasant. Bhatia said the objective of the meeting was to discuss the initiatives being taken by the government from tourism’s perspective.

The director welcomed the stakeholders’ willingness to share their suggestions and said it was very important to work in coordination with all district tourism development officers.

During the meeting, the tourism stakeholders also shared their suggestions. Baldev Thakur, a stakeholder, informed the director about the tourism-related activities being carried out in forest areas of Kufri and urged him to regulate these activities.

Similarly, Sanjay Thakur, another stakeholder, sought the Tourism Department’s intervention into the negative publicity being done by certain bloggers.

The stakeholders also demanded the department to provide jackets to photographers and tourist guides so that they can be easily identified.

Jagdish Sharma, District Tourism Development Officer, said efforts are being made to initiate online integration of all tourism stakeholders with the help of private online portal developers.