PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Nainital
The Nainital Hotel and Restaurant Association (NHRA) has started preparations to welcome the New Year in style. This year, the year’s farewell will begin with the three-day Winter Carnival which is commencing on December 23. Preparations have been going on in full swing for the carnival which is resuming after a hiatus of six years.
Discussions have been held with the district administration and the Tourism department on the carnival, informed the senior functionaries of the NHRA, adding that several Bollywood singers and renowned bands from major cities have been contacted for musical presentations. They further said that the carnival processions would be the principal attraction of the event. Local artists would also perform on the occasion, they said.
Moreover, the high-end hotels based in the lake town will host a Santa Claus procession on Christmas Eve while Christmas will be celebrated in these hotels through special musical programmes.
Expecting massive tourist footfalls during the festive season, the high-end hotels have drawn attractive packages for the period between December 30 and January 1, said the NHRA president, Digvijay Singh Bisht. “People missed the carnival for a few years. Keeping this in mind, we are going all out to make it a special one. Major markets and roads, including Mall Road, would be illuminated and we are also planning to play music through loudhailers,” he added.
Speaking of Namah Nainital’s preparations, the general manager, Medha Bhattacharjee said that the resort would be buzzing with music a month before the New Year. “Entry to the hotel will be free while tourists will receive free pickup facilities from Mall Road and other areas of the town. Musical programmes with DJs will be held every Saturday until New Year’s Day,” Bhattacharjee added.
Naini Retreat general manager DS Jeena said that advance bookings have started for the New Year’s eve with many rooms already having been booked. The hotel will organise various various events from December 29 to 31 including a package of Kumaoni culture and food.
