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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
Overseas travel spending by Indians, including holiday trips, declined by USD 212.43 million to USD 1.09 billion in March compared to February, according to the Reserve Bank data. The outward remittances for travel were at USD 1.3 billion in February and USD 1.65 billion in January this year. The RBI data on 'Outward Remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) for Resident Individuals' shows overseas spending by Indians under different categories, including travel, maintenance of close relatives, studies abroad, investments in equity and debt. Under the LRS, resident individuals, including minors, are allowed to freely remit up to USD 2,50,000 per financial year (April-March) for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both. Against the backdrop of the West Asia conflict pushing oil prices higher and pulling down the rupee to record lows, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to reduce foreign travel and opt for carpooling,