By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 28 Dec: The Uttarakhand government has taken several tourist-friendly measures in order to woo tourists to celebrate the New Year. In a major decision, permissions have been granted to restaurants, hotels, and dhabas to remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This move has been lauded by the State Hoteliers Association. Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board former Member and currently Director Brentwood Hotels & Resorts, Sandeep Sawhney has welcomed the decision of the government and has expressed gratitude on behalf of the hoteliers in the state.
The recent rain and snowfall in Uttarakhand, has enthused expectations of the New Year jubilance . With the continuous influx of tourists, the state government is making special arrangements to facilitate celebrations late into the night of December 31. Special discounts are being planned to make the Uttarakhand an attractive winter vacation.
Tourists are already gathering at prime destinations in Uttarakhand, including Nainital, Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Chakrata, Chopta, Kausani, and Auli. Hotels and homestays have been fully booked for the past five days. Deterred by traffic jams in Manali and Shimla, tourists are now turning towards Uttarakhand’s beautiful valleys. The recent snowfall at various hill stations has further boosted tourist enthusiasm.
As the New Year approaches, hotels and homestays in many hill stations are already almost fully booked. Business operators associated with tourism, such as hotel owners, guides, travel agencies, cab drivers, and handicraft sellers, are hopeful that the influx of tourists will significantly boost their sales and income.
In response to the high tourist turnout and expectations of local tourism businesses, the state government is all out to cater to the comforts of the visitors. Measures are being taken to avoid traffic jams and beef up tourists‘ security.
Amid the expected tourist influx, an order has been issued by the government’s Labour department under the signatures of Shiv Vibhuti Ranjan, Deputy Secretary, Labour Department, stating that as per the Uttarakhand Shops and Establishments (Employment, Regulation and Service Conditions) Act 2017, permission has been granted for restaurants, hotels, and dhabas to remain open all through the day and night for the entire week. Additionally, workers are permitted to work in day and night shifts under certain conditions. The order emphasises the convenience of tourists and appeals to the hospitality sector to keep its establishements open all through the day and night. With New Year on the anvil and snowfall in many areas, it is anticipated that Uttarakhand will be a bustling hub of activity.
