More used to attracting adventurous backpackers and Buddhist scholars, the north Indian hill town of Dharamsala will have a very different atmosphere today.
Over 20,000 cricket fans are expected at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association’s showpiece stadium, rated one of the most scenic in the world, where Dhauladhar Himalayan peaks and colonial era tea estates serve as a backdrop.
It is hosting the fourth one-day International (ODI) between India and the West Indies, and local hoteliers are expecting brisk business.
"In the last IPL season we failed to get any match. That was a huge loss for the local tourism industry but seeing the excitement among the cricket fans for the forthcoming match, it will certainly boost hotel business," said HPCA press secretary Mohit Sood.
The town only has 1,000 registered hotel rooms but another 1,000 are located in nearby McLeodganj, which has the added attraction of being the spiritual home of the Dalai Lama.
"It’s a great honour for such a small state to host the second international match within a span of less than two years. We are fully geared up to provide not only the players but also the spectators with world-class facilities," said Anurag Thakur, HPCA president.
