Leading global travel app Skyscanner today unveiled findings from The India Culture Travel Index, revealing Kolkata’s festive culture as the city’s defining cultural identity among travellersDurga Puja and festive culture emerged as the strongest representation of Kolkata’s cultural identity (69%), followed by Bengali food and sweets (53%), and spiritual sites such as Dakshineswar, Kalighat and Belur Math (52%)The findings underscore a shift beyond traditional sightseeing, with travellers increasingly seeking immersive experiences that connect them with a destination’s festivals, traditions, cuisine, heritage and local communities.
Neel Ghose, Travel Trends and Destinations Expert, Skyscanner India, said: “For Kolkata travellers, culture is no longer just part of the destination, it’s increasingly becoming the reason for the tripKolkata has always been a city where celebration, history and tradition are woven into everyday lifeIt’s therefore unsurprising that festive culture has emerged as the city’s defining cultural identity among travellersWhen festival dates are fixed and demand is high, comparing different travel dates, airlines, airports and routes can help travellers find better valueFor instance, try mixing and matching airlines or airports when searching for flights, and use helpful tools like Skyscanner’s Price Alerts to find better value when planning your travels.”
Heritage is shaping Kolkata travellers’ holiday choices
Interest in culture-led travel continues to grow amongst Kolkata travellers, with 76% saying their interest has increased in recent yearsNearly half (47%) now plan holidays primarily around cultural experiences such as heritage, festivals, food and local traditions, while a further 39% say culture enriches their trips even when it is not the primary reason for travelling. Interest in culture-led travel continues to grow amongst Kolkata travellers, with 76% saying their interest has increased in recent years.
The shift is also translating into travel behaviorNearly all Kolkata travellers (96%) have travelled beyond West Bengal for a cultural experience, while almost 9 in 10 say they are willing to travel outside their home state or to lesser-known destinations in search of authentic cultural experiencesGrowing pride in India’s heritage (50%) and the increasing popularity of food, craft and heritage trails (40%) are among the biggest factors fueling this trend.
When asked which Indian states offer the richest cultural experiences, West Bengal (17%) ranked first, followed by Uttar Pradesh (15%), Rajasthan (14%) and Kerala (13%).
Festivals continue to bring heritage to life
Major cultural celebrations are increasingly influencing travel plans with nearly 3 in 4 Kolkata residents saying they would consider planning a trip specifically to attend a major cultural or religious festivalDurga Puja (59%) remains the strongest festival travel draw, followed by Rath Yatra (48%), Kali Puja (42%), Kumbh Mela (33%), Christmas in Park Street (31%) and Poush Mela in Shantikietan (30%).
Travellers are primarily motivated by the opportunity to experience authentic celebrations that only happen once a year (43%).
Kolkata residents are looking beyond borders for cultural experiences
Interest in culture-led travel extends overseas tooMore than one in four (28%) Kolkata residents have already taken an international culture-focused holiday, while another 26% say they would definitely like to do so, and 31% are open to the idea, taking overall interest in international cultural travel to 85%. Japan is the most sought-after international cultural destination among Kolkata travellers, selected by 22% of respondentsIt is followed by Italy (15%), Thailand (15%), Vietnam (15%), Egypt (13%) and France (11%).
Festivals, food, and spirituality define West Bengal’s cultural appeal
Beyond the city’s iconic Durga Puja celebrations and festive culture (69%), Bengali food and sweets (53%), and spiritual sites such as Dakshineswar, Kalighat and Belur Math (52%) emerge among the experiences Kolkata residents most strongly associate with the region’s cultural identity.
Travellers also identified several experiences they believe deserve greater visibility, including Sundarbans eco-cultural experiences (45%), Shantiniketan’s festivals and culture (38%), Chandannagar’s Jagaddhatri Puja and French heritage (33%), Bishnupur’s terracotta temples and Baluchari weaving (28%), and Hooghly’s riverfront and heritage experiences (27%).
Practical considerations continue to shape travel decisions
While enthusiasm for culture-led travel remains high, practical considerations continue to influence holiday planningCrowds and overtourism (41%) and accommodation availability (41%) emerge as the biggest barriers preventing Kolkata travellers from taking more culture-led trips, followed by price spikes during festival periods (40%), high travel costs (33%).
As interest in heritage-led travel continues to grow, Skyscanner is helping travellers discover destinations, compare travel options and plan journeys around heritage trails, festivals and local cultural experiencesFrom finding inspiration to tracking fares and comparing travel dates, a range of built-in tools makes planning culture-led journeys simpler and more flexible.
Dr Navina Jafa, an expert in heritage tourism, sustainability, cultural strategy, and Kathak dance, said: “India’s cultural heritage is not only about monuments, but also the ecosystems around heritage landscapes: creative skilled communities, cultural traditions, and living practicesStudies show a growing number of travellers seeking immersive heritage experiences, underlining India’s need to invest in its vast geographical diversity and multilayered cultural legacyThis fast-growing sector offers major opportunities for conservation, economic growth, and for strengthening heritage tourism nationally and globally.”
Skyscanner tools to help plan culture-led journeys
As more travellers plan around festivals and seasonal events, flexibility has become just as important as inspirationSkyscanner offers a range of tools to help travellers compare dates, track prices and discover destinations that match the experiences they’re looking for:
● Explore with AI: Describe the kind of trip you’re looking for in natural language, such as “cheap flights to Japan in December” or “heritage destinations for a long weekend”, and receive personalised destination suggestions with insights on prices, weather, flight duration and travel style.
● Price Alerts: Track fares for a chosen route and receive notifications when prices change, making it easier to book when fares drop.
● Whole Month Search: Compare flight prices across an entire month to identify the most affordable travel dates, particularly useful when planning trips around festivals or seasonal events.
● Nearby Airports: Compare fares across nearby departure and arrival airports to uncover better-value flight options and more flexible routes.
● Flight Tracker: Access real-time flight information, including departures, arrivals, gate details and baggage belt updates for added peace of mind on travel day.
● DROPS: Available exclusively on the Skyscanner app, DROPS highlights flights that have fallen by 20% or more over the previous seven days, helping travellers spot great-value fares.
About Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a global leader in travel that helps travellers plan and book their trips with ease and confidenceEvery month, Skyscanner connects millions of travellers, in 180 countries and 37 languages, to more than 1200 trusted travel partners so they can find flight, hotel or car hire optionsFounded in 2003, Skyscanner has offices worldwide, in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America, where traveller-first innovations are developed and powered by data and insightsMaking use of the latest technology, Skyscanner simplifies the complexity of travel and provides honest and transparent solutions, searching around 100 billion prices every day so travellers can be sure they’ve seen the best possible options, all in one place.