Snowless New Year's Eve Dims Tourist Turnout In Shimla, Hoteliers Report Lowest Occupancy In 40 Years

Happy New Year 2024: Despite CM Sukhvinder Sukhu's New Year leniency and the anticipation of a 'white New Year,' Shimla saw its lowest tourist occupancy in 40 years, disappointing hoteliers and stakeholders.

Girls in traditional Himachali attire hold balloons to form 2024 during New Year celebrations, in Shimla, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.

Source : PTI

Despite predictions of a snowy weekend and the Chief Minister's directive for leniency towards New Year revelers, Shimla witnessed a disappointing tourist influx, recording a mere 60 per cent occupancy till Sunday evening—the lowest in the last four decades. Last year, the hill station boasted over 80 per cent occupancy during the New Year celebrations, news agency PTI reported.

The anticipation of a 'white New Year' had industry stakeholders in the hotel and allied sectors hopeful, but the likelihood of snowfall now seems bleak. While the Mall Road and The Ridge buzzed with the winter carnival, transforming the locale into a vibrant fairground adorned with lights and cultural performances, the surge in tourist footfall failed to translate into increased hotel occupancy, as noted by M K Seth, President of the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association, as reported by PTI.

Seth told PTI, "The occupancy is about 60 per cent, the lowest in the last 40 years. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourist rush on New Year was more than this time."

Highlighting a logistical hiccup, he explained that vehicles without prior bookings were being redirected by the police from Shoghi, inadvertently affecting the influx of on-the-spot tourists into the main city. The matter was subsequently resolved after discussions with the Superintendent of Police.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had issued directives to embrace the ethos of 'Atithi Devo Bhava,' urging the facilitation of tourists and the implementation of robust plans across districts for smooth traffic flow, PTI's report mentioned. The Chief Minister had also granted extended hours of operation for food joints and pan shops, assuring that inebriated tourists would not face arrest but be escorted to their hotels for an undisturbed New Year celebration.

However, the reality on the ground appears less promising. According to PTI, Seth noted, "Unregistered tourism units are eating into the sales of registered hotels, home stays, and other accommodations," emphasising that unregistered accommodations often capture tourists arriving by train and luxury buses.

Expressing surprise at the substantial drop in tourist inflow despite favorable conditions, Prince Kukreja, Vice President of the association, hoped for a late evening surge in occupancy, the report mentioned.

In contrast, the state government has claimed a successful tourist influx. "Tourism has bounced back on track with the efforts of the government in three months after the monsoon disaster. Himachal welcomes tourists," PTI quoted CM Sukhu as stating.

Local hotelier Shishu highlighted a preference among tourists for isolated accommodations in the suburbs with forest cover and tranquility. Even hotels in the main town, usually packed this time of the year, failed to reach full capacity, the report mentioned.

Shimla's Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Kumar, reported that about 9770 tourist vehicles from other states crossed the Shoghi barrier on the Shimla-Chandigarh Road from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon.

According to PTI, tourism stakeholders cited adverse social media publicity and electronic media reports of traffic jams as factors diverting tourists to alternative destinations. The local Meteorological office had predicted snowfall and rainfall, but the key tourist resorts did not witness the anticipated winter spectacle.

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