India, 1 November 2021: Ahead of the festive season, ‘Heading to the hills’ has become the catchphrase amongst millennial and GenZ backpackers looking for wanderlust. Uttarakhand, touted as the ‘Yoga Capital of the world,’ has emerged as a frontrunner in their wish list. With adventurous destinations of Uttarakhand witnessing an uptick in bookings ahead of the Diwali weekend, goSTOPS has expanded its footprint with the addition of new goSTOPS stays at Rishikesh Lakshman Jhula, Mussoorie, Kasar Devi, Mukteshwar, and Nainital.
Located at a short distance from the Ganges, Rishikesh Lakshman Jhula is the 2nd largest prime goSTOPS property in Rishikesh. It comprises of 30 vibrant and cozy rooms with 110+ beds, designed with state-of-the-art and classy interiors. Each room offers a spectacular scenic view of the city with the best-in-class hospitality available in budget-friendly options. The property also encompasses three massive common spaces, a rustic café, a beautiful rooftop with a stunning view of the Lakshman Jhula, and vibrant corners for those looking to revitalize their spirit with fun games and activities. A gateway to the Himalayas, travellers and adventure seekers can take part in activities such as river rafting and bungee jumping near ancient spiritual temples. goSTOPS Rishikesh Lakshman Jhula is the perfect place to kickstart the next adventure or just have a memorable getaway to rejuvenate one’s soul.
Mussoorie, rightfully regarded as the Queen of the Hills, is nestled amid the Shivalik Range and the Doon Valley. A ride through the clouds in a cable car ropeway to Gun hills or a serene afternoon by the Kempty Falls, the town has it all. The property has a beautiful mountain view, which is excellent for midnight bonfires. A home theatre and an indoor gaming area are also available. Easily accessible just like other goSTOPS locations, goSTOPS Mussoorie is a short walk away from the famous Mall Road that transports the traveller back in time.
Kasar Devi, a sleepy little hamlet in the Kumaon region, makes for a perfect getaway destination amidst nature to revive one’s weary soul on the go. Set at an altitude of 2420 metres, Binsar’s beauty lies in the spell-bounding 360 degree views of snow-laden Himalayan ranges. Surrounded by forests covered with oak, pine, rhododendrons and deodar trees, it is home to lovely green meadows, Bineshwar Mahadev temple and the opulent Binsar wildlife sanctuary.
With 50+ spacious dorm beds and deluxe double private rooms with lockers, this goSTOPS property at Kasar Devi provides a picturesque atmosphere with colourful common rooms and the opportunity to meet many fellow travel enthusiasts and revel in some fun in-house activities. And not to forget, the property also offers 24*7 reception and security, board games, super clean ultra-modern bathrooms, laundry services, and of course high-speed Free Wi-Fi!
Mukteshwar is a short drive from Nainital. Away from the usual hustle-bustle of fast-paced life, this goSTOPS hostel offers unique tranquillity. From enjoying the snow-capped mountain view from an open private balcony to sipping hot cuppa masala chai, one can definitely experience nature at its best with goSTOPS Mukteshwar. Begin the day by seeking blessings at Mukteshwar Temple which is just 7.3 km away from the property. Hike to the popular cliff of Chauli Ki Jali and get an adrenaline rush by indulging in activities like paragliding and treks. In the evenings, one can also socialise over a bonfire with like-minded people at the rooftop while enjoying a hint of traditional music. With comfiest and chic beds and dorms and 22+ rooms in total, it is always bustling with young travellers engaged in games and activities.
Nainital is India’s popular hill station and resort town. Located in a very tranquil location, goSTOPS Nainital makes for an excellent getaway destination. There is a lot to do in this charming Himalayan Lake-town from innumerable forest trails and sparkling water to a lively shopping hub on the Mall road. A 10-minute walk from the mall road and Naini lake, it still manages to place itself in the quiet part of the town. With tastefully designed interiors and scenic views on the outside, goSTOPS Nainital is a great choice for travellers looking for a lovely place on a budget.
Speaking about the announcement, Pankaj Parwanda, Co-Founder, goSTOPS said, “Our Rishikesh Tapovan property has been a runaway success. The experience that the state proffers i.e. a mix of spirituality, calmness, and adventure, coupled with the upcoming festive season break, has been attracting massive interest among our core audiences – the Gen Zs and millennials. With these locations being hand-picked to curate a range of local sights, sounds, flavours, and a fun and social experience for our travellers, we are confident that we are now well-poised to curate a holistic Uttarakhand sojourn for our patrons.”
He continues, “The Government of Uttarakhand is making significant investments in making the state a serious contender on the global tourist map. Additionally, the demand recovery curve for the hospitality sector has become stronger after the second wave, and we have recorded a massive jump in demand. The youth hostel category has come of age and become the preferred accommodation choice for the Indian youth. The intention of launching additional properties in Uttarakhand sees us utilize the newly infused funds from our investors to spruce up our facilities. By doing so, we can meet the evolving standards of our patrons while providing them budget-friendly social stays and experiential travels. Our goal is to expand the goSTOPS community by adding more thrilling properties in the coming months in destinations like Pushkar, Goa, Bangalore, and Dehradun.”
As per the recent travel trends, the hostel category is witnessing a lot of traction, especially during the upcoming festive season where people opt for a longer stay. This category has become the preferred accommodation of choice for young backpackers who seek budget-friendly, safe, and high-quality experience-laden getaways. When this is coupled with meeting interesting travellers from across the globe over cups of chai in the common area and garnering out-of-the-ordinary experiences solely designed by locals, one has the perfect goSTOPS experience. This has resulted in goSTOPS properties seeing a significant surge in inquiries and bookings from metros and mini-metros for nearby, drivable destinations with close to a 1,000 percent increase in demand.
Currently, India’s fastest-growing backpacker hostel chain has properties across 27 locations in India, housing 2000 beds, and plans to add 400 hostels with 20,000 beds and 75,000 beds by March 2024 and 2027 respectively. Furthermore, goSTOPS aims to raise $10-12 million by March 2022 and reach a revenue of 1500 crore by 2027. The company recently onboarded EaseMyTrip in addition to the already available OTAs such as Booking.com, goibibo, MakeMyTrip, Hostelworld, Expedia, Agoda, Airbnb, TripAdvisor, etc. It is also in the process of building a mobile app that will provide a seamless experience for young travellers. The company soon plans to launch a premium sub-brand called ‘goSTOPS Plus’ specially targeted to cater to the large tier-2, 3 audience.
