Durga Puja drives Kolkata’s rise as a cultural tourism hotspot
Times of India | 6 August 2026
Kolkata: Culture is emerging as a decisive factor in travel planning, with Kolkata standing out both as a source market for culture-led journeys and as a destination drawing Indian travellers for festivals, heritage and immersive local experiences.
According to a survey carried out by Skyscanner, which is among the world’s largest travel platforms, Kolkata itself is becoming a major cultural tourism magnet for Indian travellers, with Durga Puja at the centre of interest. Following the inscription of the festival on Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage List in Dec 2021, there has been an overwhelming interest among travellers from across India to visit Kolkata during Durga Puja.
“Nationally, 58% of Indian travellers expressed interest in visiting Kolkata during Durga Puja, which is a huge draw. Other Bengal-linked cultural and nature experiences also ranked high, including the Sundarbans at 45%, Santiniketan’s Pous Mela at 38% and Chandernagore Jagaddhatri Puja at 32%. Social media and YouTube are also influencing decisions, with 33% of travellers saying they were inspired by these platforms,” said Neel Ghose, destination expert from Skyscanner.
Nationally, cultural tourism is gaining strong momentum. Data showed that 84% of Indian travellers are interested in culture-led travel while 67% travel specifically for cultural experiences. The top domestic destinations for travellers across India include Kochi, Udaipur, Almora, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Puri and Kohima, with Kolkata ranking fifth.
“Culture has become a primary pillar in choosing a new destination,” said Ghose, adding that the question for travellers is increasingly “not where to go but what we can experience”.
For Kolkatans, culture is not just an attraction but a core part of identity. Festivals lead cultural interest at 69%, followed by food, craft and heritage trails at 53%, and spiritual sites at 52%. The data showed that 76% of Kolkata travellers said their interest in culture-led travel has increased, while 50% said they take great pride in Indian heritage.
Culture is also becoming a direct reason to travel. As many as 85% of travellers from Kolkata have travelled or are willing to travel for cultural experiences, and 54% already have active trip plans. When it comes to what they seek, 64% look for heritage and historical sites, 51% for spiritual journeys and 50% for festivals and celebrations.
Festival-led travel is especially strong among Kolkatans. Around 75% said they are willing to travel for a cultural festival, including 48% for Rath Yatra, 42% for Diwali and 33% for Kumbh Mela. The data also pointed to travel around Durga Puja to cities such as Mumbai and Bengaluru, where many Kolkatans have children or family living, while Chandannagar’s Jagadhatri Puja also features as a cultural draw.
Kolkatans are also described as spontaneous travellers, often deciding on trips one to two months before departure. The appetite for cultural exploration extends beyond India as well, with 9 in 10 Kolkatans happy to travel for a cultural experience and 28% having already travelled internationally for culture.
Among international culture-led destinations, Japan leads interest among Kolkatans at 22%, followed by Thailand and Vietnam at 15%, Italy at 15%, Egypt at 13% and France at 11%. Egypt’s presence is notable as it does not feature in the national data, with Kolkata travellers showing a particular pull towards the country because of its historical depth.