Publicise Manali carnival outside Himachal to lure tourists, say hoteliers

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 17

Hoteliers of Manali have urged the Kullu district administration and the HP Tourism Department to advertise the winter carnival on a big scale to attract more tourists to Manali during the five-day event. The winter carnival is scheduled to be organised from January 2 to 6.

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The hoteliers said that it had been observed in the past years that the winter carnival celebrations have failed to attract a large number of tourists dealing a setback to the hotel industry of Kullu-Manali. The reason, they said, is poor publicity of this event outside the state. There is dire need on the part of the district administration and the tourism department to make arrangements for promotion of this event in a big way.

Using social media

Efforts are being made to do promotional advertisement of this event outside the state through social media to attract tourists to Kullu-Manali. Ashutosh Garg, Deputy commissioner, Kullu

Hem Raj Sharma, a hotelier, said that “For the past few years, we have observed that the winter carnival has failed to attract considerable number of tourists. The reason is poor promotional efforts of this event outside the state as tourists remain unaware about the event.”

“Besides, there is a need to make this event more attractive. Winter sports activities should be included along with the cultural activities. This event should be organised in the middle of March, when the environment is more suitable,” he suggested.

Anup Thakur, president of Kullu-Manali Paryatan Vikas Mandal said that “we are urging the district administration and tourism department to ensure the celebration of winter carnival at Manali on the lines of Goa carnival to attract more tourists.”

Kullu DC Ashutosh Garg said efforts were being made to do promotional advertisement of this event outside the state through social media to attract the tourists to Kullu-Manali.