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.