For Indian travellers in 2025, deciding a destination is not just about beaches and luxury stays but way more than this. According to a new Cultural Tourism
Report from Skyscanner, 82% of Indians are actively planning journeys around festivals, heritage sites, and authentic traditions. The trend is the most popular among millenials at 84% and Gen Z 80%. But what is cultural tourism? Lets understand better. Cultural tourism goes beyond sightseeing. It is all about engaging with the essence of a destination, especially its festivals, history and rituals. For travelers, it means not just visiting monuments but also experiencing local crafts, folk performances, regional cuisines and vibrant festivals. With this, festivals have become the front and centre in travel calendars. As per skyscanner data, Durga Puja in Kolkata (53%), Lathmar Holi in Barsana (51%), and Onam in Kerala (35%) are the top cultural events that Indians want to witness next year. In fact, half of travellers say they hve already attended fairs or festivals. Also, searches for Varanasi, a city synonymous with spiritual and cultural heritage, are up by 76% for 2025. Cultural tourism is way more than a trend as it is now shaping up to be the future of travel in India. It is offering sustainable opportunities by supporting local artisans, encouraging preservation of traditions and spreading tourism benefits to smaller towns. On the other hand, for travelers, it brings depth, authenticity and memories that go beyond selfies and bucket lists. They experience what they never have as they dive deeper into our cultural roots. Meanwhile, earlier, it was revealed that over 45% of Indian travellers prefer multiple short breaks than a single long holiday, suggests multiple reports. One of the main reason for this is time. With such demanding work schedules and personal responsibilities mounting, many people find it difficult to carve out a week for travel. Thus, micro-cations! A long vacation always requires a considerable amount of planning and time off. On the other hand, micro-cations fit neatly into a long weekend, with minimal disruption. Secondly, affordability also plays a key role. While luxury is the main aspect of this travel trend, the shorter the duration, the more manageable are overall costs. When it is a shorter trip, travellers have the leverage of splurging on five-star accommodations and other premium experiences. In case you are planning a micro-cation, here are some places you can visit.
