Shimla, the enchanting winter haven, known for its vibrant New Year’s Eve celebrations, took an unexpected turn as it witnessed just over 60 per cent occupancy — marking its lowest turnout in four decades. In a curious twist, the usually snow-laden Shimla faced a scarcity of tourists despite the promise of a ‘white New Year’ and the Chief Minister's plea for a warm reception to revelers.

Last year's bustling New Year, with over 80 per cent occupancy, stands in stark contrast to the subdued atmosphere this time around. The anticipation of weekend snowfall and the Chief Minister's unusual directive for leniency with inebriated celebrants failed to work their magic, leaving hotels and businesses in a state of surprise.

The Mall Road and The Ridge, usually buzzing with activity during the winter carnival, were adorned with lights and cultural festivities. However, the expected surge in hotel room occupancy did not materialize.

Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association president MK Seth, expressing concern, said that the current 60 per cent occupancy marked a historic low for the city. Intriguingly, even during the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Year's tourist numbers surpassed the current figures.

Seth shared an incident where police diverted vehicles without prior bookings at Shoghi, perhaps unaware that many New Year tourists are spontaneous travelers. The matter was eventually resolved after discussions with the Superintendent of Police, highlighting the challenges faced by the tourism ecosystem.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s directive for a welcoming approach during winter festivities set a unique tone for the celebrations. His decision to keep food joints and pan shops open 24x7 and the unconventional stance of not arresting drunk tourists but assisting them in returning safely to their hotels added an interesting layer to the usual New Year's protocols.

However, the idyllic narrative faced some harsh realities. Unregistered tourism units, touts vying for tourists, and negative social media publicity regarding traffic jams were cited as contributors to the unexpected drop in tourist numbers.

Despite the government's claim of welcoming lakhs of tourists to Himachal Pradesh for the New Year, local hoteliers were perplexed by the significant drop in tourist inflow, even under seemingly favorable conditions.

The Shimla-Chandigarh road witnessed around 9,770 tourist vehicles from other states passing the Shoghi barrier, indicating an influx despite the overall lower occupancy. The curious dynamics suggest that while tourists may be arriving, they are not translating into the usual bustling atmosphere that defines Shimla's winter charm.

As the Meteorological office's prediction of snowfall turned out to be a mere tease, the hospitality industry now waits with bated breath, hoping for a revival in tourist numbers in the coming days. In the enigmatic tale of Shimla's New Year, the city's charm and allure remain, awaiting a resurgence to its usual winter glory amidst the challenging odds.

New Year: A Winter Wonderland Turned Low-Key Affair

‘White New Year’ predictions, CM’s plea for warm reception to tourists fail to do magic

PNS/Shimla

Shimla, the enchanting winter haven, known for its vibrant New Year’s Eve celebrations, took an unexpected turn as it witnessed just over 60 per cent occupancy — marking its lowest turnout in four decades. In a curious twist, the usually snow-laden Shimla faced a scarcity of tourists despite the promise of a ‘white New Year’ and the Chief Minister's plea for a warm reception to revelers.

Last year's bustling New Year, with over 80 per cent occupancy, stands in stark contrast to the subdued atmosphere this time around. The anticipation of weekend snowfall and the Chief Minister's unusual directive for leniency with inebriated celebrants failed to work their magic, leaving hotels and businesses in a state of surprise.

The Mall Road and The Ridge, usually buzzing with activity during the winter carnival, were adorned with lights and cultural festivities. However, the expected surge in hotel room occupancy did not materialize.

Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association president MK Seth, expressing concern, said that the current 60 per cent occupancy marked a historic low for the city. Intriguingly, even during the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Year's tourist numbers surpassed the current figures.

Seth shared an incident where police diverted vehicles without prior bookings at Shoghi, perhaps unaware that many New Year tourists are spontaneous travelers. The matter was eventually resolved after discussions with the Superintendent of Police, highlighting the challenges faced by the tourism ecosystem.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s directive for a welcoming approach during winter festivities set a unique tone for the celebrations. His decision to keep food joints and pan shops open 24x7 and the unconventional stance of not arresting drunk tourists but assisting them in returning safely to their hotels added an interesting layer to the usual New Year's protocols.

However, the idyllic narrative faced some harsh realities. Unregistered tourism units, touts vying for tourists, and negative social media publicity regarding traffic jams were cited as contributors to the unexpected drop in tourist numbers.

Despite the government's claim of welcoming lakhs of tourists to Himachal Pradesh for the New Year, local hoteliers were perplexed by the significant drop in tourist inflow, even under seemingly favorable conditions.

The Shimla-Chandigarh road witnessed around 9,770 tourist vehicles from other states passing the Shoghi barrier, indicating an influx despite the overall lower occupancy. The curious dynamics suggest that while tourists may be arriving, they are not translating into the usual bustling atmosphere that defines Shimla's winter charm.

As the Meteorological office's prediction of snowfall turned out to be a mere tease, the hospitality industry now waits with bated breath, hoping for a revival in tourist numbers in the coming days. In the enigmatic tale of Shimla's New Year, the city's charm and allure remain, awaiting a resurgence to its usual winter glory amidst the challenging odds.