Tourists flock to snow-clad Shimla hills, hoteliers rejoice

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 6

Heavy snowfall in Shimla and its adjoining areas has proved a boon for the sagging tourism industry. With a surge in the tourist arrival, the hotel occupancy has increased to over 80 per cent.

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“The occupancy is likely to increase further during the weekend,” said Sanjay Sood, president, Shimla Hotel and Restaurant Association.

A large number of tourists also visited Kufri, which saw a sunny day today. Meanwhile, normalcy returned to the popular hill station after it witnessed a heavy snowfall on Thursday. Traffic was resumed on all main roads in Shimla and its upper areas, Theog, Rampur and Kumarsein, said Deputy Commissioner Aaditya Negi.

At least 294 roads were, however, still closed to traffic and power supply remained erratic at many places as 639 transformers were yet to be repaired.

The maximum 116 roads were blocked in Lahaul and Spiti district followed by 85 in Shimla. The restoration work was in full swing and most of the roads were likely to be opened in the next 48 hours, the DC said.