HP govt holding Shimla festival to rev up town’s image
SHIMLA: Four months after a massive water crisis dented the tourism business in the state capital, the Himachal government is going to organise a three-day Shimla festival to boost the town’s image that took a beating.
The water crisis had led to a decline in the number of tourists and hit the tourism business in the popular hill station as the town witnessed frequent roadblocks and clashes between the police and the public. Tourism business fell by over 50%, causing huge losses to the hospitality industry and the tourism-related activity in the town.
In the wake of the water scarcity, that led to public outrage, the district administration had called off the famous international Shimla summer festival slated to be held in the first week of June . The threeday Shimla festival will now kick off on September 20 on the historic Ridge .
“We could not hold the summer festival due to the water scarcity. So, the Shimla festival will be organised on September 20,” said deputy commissioner Amit Kashyap.
The festival will be jointly organised by departments of tourism, art culture and the district administration. A fashion show, a classical dance and performances by local artistes will be the main attraction of the festival that is aimed at boosting tourism in Shimla. Famous Bollywood playback singer Mohit Chauhan will perform on the last day of the festival.
Hoteliers in Shimla are of the view that the festival will help in attracting tourists to the town. “The hotel industry suffered huge losses this time due to water crisis. The festival will help in boosting the image of the town,” said president of the Shimla Hoteliers and Restaurateurs Association Harman Kukreja .
The deputy commissioner said that the stage will not be erected on the southern side of the Ridge as it had developed cracks after monsoon rain.