Indian travelers prioritize culture experiences and mental wellbeing

A Skyscanner India Culture Travel Index shows that nearly half of Kolkata residents now plan holidays primarily around cultural experiences, with 69% citing the Durga Puja festival as the strongest representation of the city’s identity. Overall, 47% of respondents said culture is the main reason for travel, while 96% travel beyond West Bengal and 90% are willing to visit other states for authentic cultural experiences. West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kerala were ranked as the Indian states offering the richest cultural trips, and Japan emerged as the top international cultural destination.

A Booking.com Travel Happiness Index surveyed 10,000 travelers across the Asia‑Pacific, finding that 99% of Indian travelers associate travel with positive emotions. Ninety percent say having a trip to look forward to lifts their mood, and 77% say anticipation helps them cope with daily life. Eighty‑two percent consider travel essential to overall happiness, and 80% prefer to have itineraries sorted well in advance. Family trips were the most enjoyable, and 78% now seek meaningful experiences over checklist tourism, even as some report fatigue or anxiety on trips.