For GenX, holidays a festive dip into culture, adventure
They are emblematic of a new generation of travellers stepping out of the cosy confines of their homes to experience festivals of all hues and colours — seeking immersion, adventure and a deeper connection with cultural traditions.
Indians are increasingly planning trips around festivals, both within the country and abroad, said travel industry executives.
«When it comes to domestic travel, festivals like Holi in Mathura-Vrindavan, Pushkar and Varanasi are attracting more visitors each year. Diwali in Varanasi, Durga Puja in Kolkata...are also gaining popularity,» said Viacation cofounder Jatinder Paul Singh.
While major festivals continue to draw large crowds, lesser-known regional ones are also seeing increased interest.
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Year-round Demand
Dol Jatra in West Bengal, Wangala festival in Meghalaya and Assam, Bundi Utsav and Matsaya festivals in Rajasthan and Manjal Kuli in Kerala are such examples.
«Festival tourism is propelling year-round demand, with Indians immersing themselves in diverse traditions,» said SD Nandakumar, country head at SOTC Travel.
With school holidays coinciding with major festivals, families, including multiple generations, are increasingly choosing festival trips as a way to bond while exploring new destinations, he said.
Indians are also becoming strategic about festival travel.
«Given the rising popularity of festival travel, there's understandably an expected increase in rates,» said Rajeev Kale, country head, holidays, at Thomas Cook (India). «As a result, we have