Kolkata's vibrant festive culture has emerged as the defining cultural identity for travellers, according to findings from The India Culture Travel Index by Skyscanner. The report highlights that 69% of travellers associate the city with its iconic Durga Puja celebrations, followed by Bengali cuisine and sweets (53%), and spiritual sites like Dakshineswar and Kalighat (52%). This marks a shift towards immersive cultural experiences over traditional sightseeing.
Neel Ghose, Travel Trends and Destinations Expert at Skyscanner India, noted, "For Kolkata travellers, culture is no longer just part of the destination, it's increasingly becoming the reason for the trip." The study found that 76% of Kolkata travellers have shown increased interest in culture-led travel, with nearly half planning holidays around cultural experiences such as festivals and local traditions.
The trend is influencing travel behaviour, with 96% of Kolkata travellers venturing beyond West Bengal for cultural experiences. Additionally, 85% express interest in international cultural travel, with Japan being the top destination. Major festivals like Durga Puja and Rath Yatra are significant travel draws, with 74% of residents considering trips to attend such events.
Despite the enthusiasm, practical concerns such as crowds and accommodation availability remain barriers. Skyscanner offers tools like Price Alerts and Whole Month Search to aid travellers in planning flexible and cost-effective cultural journeys. Dr Navina Jafa, an expert in heritage tourism, emphasised the importance of investing in India's cultural diversity to support this growing travel sector
This story was selected and published by a human editor, with content adapted from original press material using AI tools. Spot an error? Report it here.
