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As June brought rising temperatures and mid-year travel opportunities across the country, bookings at properties in Shimla surged "76 per cent" year-on-year, reflecting a growing preference among Indians for mountain getaways, according to data released by hospitality and backpacker hostel chain Zostel. The company also reported nearly "95 per cent growth" in footfall across destinations such as Srinagar, Tirthan Valley and Gangtok compared to the same period last year, highlighting a broader shift towards mountain travel during the month. Overall mountain bookings across the Zostel network rose between 7 and 9 per cent year-on-year, with nearly "48 per cent" of travellers making their bookings within three days of departure. The findings also suggested a growing preference for spontaneous travel, with the 72-hour booking window emerging as the dominant booking pattern. "Mountain bookings across Zostel properties are up by 76 per cent this June compared to last year, and nearly hal
Despite the uncertain backdrop of geopolitical tensions and economic challenges, 77 per cent of Indians are confident about travelling this summer, according to Skyscanner's 'Smarter Summer Report'. The report, which surveyed 2,000 Indian respondents, highlights that nearly 9 in 10 Indians have either planned or already booked their summer 2026 holiday, showcasing a strong desire to travel in the coming months. Released on Tuesday, the annual report delves into the evolving travel preferences of Indian travellers, offering insights into destination choices, the impact of fluctuating airfares, and shifting attitudes towards flexibility and budgeting. "Indian travellers are not stepping back; they are adapting within constraints. Instead of cancelling, they are staying flexible on where they go, with many willing to switch destinations in response to changing costs and conditions. "This growing openness to alternative and lesser-known destinations signals a more confident and ...
New rules in force from Wednesday will see the UK transition to a digital transit system, including mandatory eVisas for Indian travellers and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for non-visa requiring visitors. The new procedure will replace paper-based visa stickers as part of a phased programme over recent years. While the new system will still involve a physical visit to the application centre for biometric registration, it will do away with the need to leave behind the passport document during the processing period. "I'd urge anyone wanting to travel to the UK to ensure they are travel-ready and have the right permission, to make their journey much smoother," said Mike Tapp, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship. It will be mandatory for visitors to the UK to have obtained digital permission to travel, which means airlines can prevent passengers from boarding planes if they do not have an eVisa, ETA or other valid documentation. The UK government had launched the eVisa .
NASDAQ-listed travel booking platform MakeMyTrip on Monday announced a strategic partnership with Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group that operates more than 560 properties worldwide. The collaboration expands international stay options for Indian travellers across city hotels and resort destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East when booked through the platform. It is part of MakeMyTrip's broader strategy to expand its direct international hotel inventory. Minor Hotels portfolio, including Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Elewana Collection, The Wolseley Hotels, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts, Minor Reserve Collection, NH Collection Hotels & Resorts, nhow Hotels & Resorts, Avani Hotels & Resorts, Colbert Collection, NH Hotels & Resorts, Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites and iStay Hotels. Currently, 60 Minor Hotels properties are live on the MakeMyTrip platform, with the listing expected to scale rapidly across Minor Hotels' wider global portfolio. Rajesh Magow,
