Shimla: New Year evening bash prices may have come off their highs in celebrated destinations like Mumbai and Goa but going by the packages offered by high end hotels here, the hospitality industry is out to make a kill for those heading to the seclusion of hills this season.
‘Its peak season time for us and packages are fairly priced,” says CS Rangta, deputy general manager Himachal Tourism Corporation.
A log hut accommodation princely property Hotel Chial Palace that otherwise is available at Rs 1300 – 1500 for most part of the year costs Rs 8,600 for ringing in the new year. The Maharaja and Maharani suite is at Rs 15,000 for a couple.
At Hotel Holiday Home Shimla, the other premier property of the government hospitality corporation a two day package costs between Rs 12,500 to Rs 16,500 for a couple.
The corporation has also more than doubled the prices for the festive occasion at the hotels in Manali.
The evening is planned to be full of activity and there are many complimentary gifts and prizes for the guests that evening, says Rangta. Compared with other properties around the area, our packages are cheaper, he adds.
An booking inquiry with Oberoi group that operates two five star hotels in and around the hill capital came up with minimum costs of about Rs 18,000 per couple at heritage Hotel Cecil and a minimum of about Rs 48,000 for a couple at Hotel Wild Flower Hall.
“Where is the recession,” questions Nityin, who deals with the tours and travel industry. “With such exorbitant prices and an adverse traveling scenario in the country, hotels risk slump in occupancy during the season,” he says.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
