Hoteliers gear up to welcome visitors

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Kullu, October 9

Hoteliers of Kullu-Manali are ready for International Kullu Dasehra from October 11 to 17.

They are hopeful that the week-long Kullu Dasehra festival will give fillips to the sluggish tourism industry here which was struggling the recession.

In the wake of Dasehra, there is a sudden increase in the tourist influx, which gave a sigh of relief to hoteliers, who are expecting more occupancy in the coming days.

According to hoteliers, there has been a slight increase in the tourist arrival in the past few days and they were hopeful that it would get pace.

Talking to The Tribune here today, Hoteliers Association president Kullu-Manali Gajender Thakur said, “There is a surge in the tourist influx these days and we are experiencing 40 per cent to 60 per cent occupancy in hotel rooms.”

Famous for its unique tradition, Kullu Dasehra begins here every year, whenthe Dasehra festivities come to an end on the day of Vijay Dashmi. Hundreds of deities in palanquins congregate in historical Dhalpur Ground to join the week-long festivity from far-flung areas of district.

Plots have been allocated by the district administration in the Dhalpur ground for business purpose till October 31 and collected Rs 4.5 crore as revenue.