City ready to welcome CWG guests

With only a couple of days left for the grand start of Commonwealth Games (CWG), UT administration  is prepared to welcome the sports tourists. The administration and private operators in the hospitality sector have laid out lucrative discounts on room rents and menu. The tourism department has elaborated plans to hold regular cultural evenings at Sector-17 Piazza.

Talking to The Times of India, Chandigarh Hotels and Restaurants' Association secretary Gurwinder Juneja says at least 30 leading hotels and restaurants would offer up to 20% discount on room rents. 'Various food festivals featuring dum-pukht, lahori, Indian traditional delicacies and special ice-creams and dessert items would also be held,' he adds.

Besides, the department has invited renowned singers and artistes from across the country to perform regularly at Sukhna Lake and Piazza. CITCO general manager (tourism) AK Malhotra says Hotel Mountview, Shivalikview and Parkview would offer discount up to 20% on room rents and food items. 'We have printed attractive brochures of city tourist and heritage buildings for distribution among the visiting enthusiasts arriving by Shatabdi and airways,' he adds.

He further says they would beautify and illuminate the tourist attractions and heritage buildings to lend them aesthetic look during night. 'We have installed huge cut-outs of CWG mascot Shera at the Sukhna Lake. More would be set up at Sector 17 and other places.'

Besides, UT administration has also doled out short-term and two-day sight-seeing packages for Shimla, Kasauli, Fatehgarh Sahib, Amritsar and Wagah border. 'Short-duration trips would be organized for them to relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of Nepli and Kansal forests here,' says another official.