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Thousands throng Himachal popular spots

Photo: PTI

Shimla is all decked up for the New Year celebrations on Wednesday.

SHIMLA: Thousands of tourists, mainly from northern States, thronged popular tourist spots across Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday to celebrate the New Year. Several hotels across the State have reported full occupancy.

“More than 300 hotels in Shimla are packed to capacity,” said Shimla Hoteliers and Restaurants Association president Harnam Kukreja.

“For the first time this year, the occupancy in hotels is over 90 per cent,” he added.

According to the State Tourism Department, over 50,000 tourists, mainly from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, reached Shimla and nearby tourist spots on Wednesday.

State Tourism Secretary Manisha Nanda said the absence of snowfall had not affected the arrival of tourists.

Himachal Tourism Development Corporation’s hotels in Shimla, Kufri, Fagu, Narkanda, Barog, Kiarighat and Chail also have a large number of advance bookings for the New Year.

“Like previous years, this year too the occupancy in our hotel is 100 per cent on the last day of the year,” said the General Manager of Clarke’s Hotel, D. P. Bhatia.

Manali, another popular tourist spot, also saw a heavy rush of tourists on Wednesday. “More than 40,000 tourists have reached Manali for their New Year bash. Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra is among the tourists,” said Mehar Chand Thakur, a prominent travel agent in Manali, over telephone. - IANS

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Thousands throng Himachal popular spots

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