HimVani
Shimla (Dec 25) Snowless Shimla, failed to dampen the spirits of the tourist who thronged the capital town to celebrate the Christmas here today.
A huge crowd of tourists could be witnessed on the Ridge, Mall, Railway stations and other public places in Shimla, as most of hotels were jam packed. A number of Santa Claus were visible in the towns distributing Christmas gifts to children and the crowds that surround them.
According, to people engaged in hospitality industry about twenty thousand tourists have come to Shimla on Friday and Saturday to mark the event beside routine weekenders.
General Manager, Hotel Clark, Shimla, DP Bhatia said that more than twenty thousand tourists have come to Shimla to celebrate the Christmas, despite there were no signs of predictable snowfall in the town that is playing a role in repelling tourists. Notwithstanding this, a considerable number of tourists have come to the hill station.
He said: “There are more than 450 hotels in the town with a capacity of providing accommodation facility to more than twenty thousand tourists at a time and all the hotels are running in full occupancy”.
Christmas falling on weekend is also proving to be a plus point for the tourism industry in Shimla this year, he added.
According to Hotel Wood Land, Atul Gautam the rush is expected to continue till New Year celebrations in the town. “The number of visitors is likely to increase in the coming days as the New Year is approaching near”, he said.
Even as Christmas passed off without any snow in town and its surrounding areas, people from Meteorological department said that climate may take a turn after December 29, 2010 raising hope of snowfall on New Year celebrations.
