Escaping the long, hot Indian summer

BANGALORE - Popular travel search site Wego.com, reveals that more Indians are heading for the hills to escape the summer heat.

“India is such a vast country with so many different climates, and when it comes to summer time in the city, we love to escape to destinations with cool breezes and mild temperatures,” said Ashwin Jayasankar, General Manager of Wego India.

“Some of this country’s favourite summer retreats experience almost chilly temperatures of around 10-15 degrees in the lush hill stations,” continued Jayasankar. “It appears that more Indians are heading for the hills this summer, with searches on Wego for some of the more mountainous destinations surging in popularity by up to 100 percent, compared to 2015.”

“Ooty retains its top spot as most popular destination during summer months, followed by Coorg, Shimla and Manali, who have all increased in the number of searches compared to last year,” he added.“However the biggest movers for this summer are Mussoorie, Mount Abu, Dalhousie, Dharamshala and Gulmarg, have all surged as summer destination options this year, and among the top 20 most popular on Wego India for this period.”

“In Rajasthan, the country’s hottest state, there’s been a peak in searches for the cooler option of Mount Abu, which has seen a 48 percent increase in searches over last year,” said Jayasankar. “The snow in Manali, Leh, Kasauli, Lansdowne, Shimla and Gulmarg are attracting more interest, and in fact the northern Indian states have garnered the largest number of increases in searches this summer.” 

“Apart from escaping the heat, it’s also about new adventures. The initial motivation might be to seek some cool relief but the result is a rejuvenated travel boost for some of these high altitude destinations,”Jayasankar pointed out. “Mother nature is working as a positive force for the local travel industry!”

“Throughout India the budget hotel segment has been growing exponentially, with new entrants and established property chains creating new budget hotel sections as part of their overall business,”Jayasankar explained. “This trend is feeding these destinations significantly, with a large volume of budget hotels and homestays located within them. Many of Wego’s accommodation partners, including GoStays (Goibibo) and TG Rooms (Travelguru) are adapting to suit the demand for good value, budget stays.”

Shimla, once a summer hotspot for the British in the days of the Raj, is now more than just an idyllic honeymoon destination. Layered in cool, green forests, with Himalayan mountain views, the historic city is regaining its popularity as an Indian summer capital.

Similarly, Mussoorie in the foothills of the Himalayas, has a colourful history and stunning views, and also great for shopping and dining in a comfortable and pleasant climate.

“Internationally, Dubai retains its number one spot for Indian summer travel, followed by Southeast Asia destinations, Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong,” explained Jayasankar. “Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s gateway to island resorts such as Langkawi and family fun in the Genting Highlands is also popular, as well as the tropical beach resort of Thailand’s Pattaya. The pristine islands of the Maldives are also gaining in popularity.”

“A European summer in London and Paris are also on this year’s list, both comparatively cooler than a summer at home,” he added. “Across these international destinations, Indian travellers are more often than not seeking four to five star hotels, with a preference for quality over price.”

“As India heats up, so too does our tourism industry,” said Jayasankar in conclusion. “The sub continent has a wealth of diverse and beautiful destinations, and it’s a positive situation overall when tourism is able to reach and develop local industry in a variety of new locations, no matter what the temperature.”

sourced:traveldailynews.asia