This Diwali, Daman, Silvassa hot spots

SURAT: Previously many businessmen in the city during Diwali vacation used to go on a seven-day tour either to Singapore and Dubai or Europe. However, this time some went but most preferred excursions to nearby places with their families from Dhanteras onwards.
"Those who went abroad on a tour, their number is small when compared to last few years. People preferred to visit Goa, Daman, Silvassa, Saputara, Nasik, Abu, etc this vacation," said Geeta Desai, a tour operator.
It is estimated that at least 40,000 families from Surat are visiting Daman, Saputara, Nasik, Shirdi, Abu, Ambaji. Nearly 5,000 families from the city are in Goa and Mahabaleswar and one lakh are visiting their relatives in Saurashtra and north Gujarat.
Hotels have 100 per cent occupancy in Saputara, Daman and Silvassa. "We are booked till November 3. We have absolutely no room in Saputara. Majority of the bookings are of people from Surat and Mumbai," said Deepan Shah of Lourdes Park Inn.
"It was a pleasant surprise to get over 100 per cent family bookings during Diwali," said Dhiraj Shah of a hotel in Silvassa . "Generally, we get bookings for a party for one night. This time, families are spending Diwali vacation with us," he said.
"Business has been low key and recoveries hard to come by. Hence, it is unwise to spend Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh on a vacation," said Manu Patel, a weaver with 48 machines. "A family trip of six days to Ambaji and Abu has not cost me more than Rs 25,000," he said. Financial constraints have forced many people to spend less on vacation this time.