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Millennials and Gen Z make culture the hottest travel trend of 2025

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The new age of travelling is shifting landscapes one trip at a time. It’s beyond just regular sightseeing. Today, it’s staycations, wellness retreats, luxury escapes, and right now it’s all about soaking in culture. Why? Because experience value has found its place at the core.

Cultural tourism is making strides and Indian travellers are totally on board. Around 82 per cent of Indian travellers are looking for destinations that offer authentic local heritage, traditions, and experiences, according to the latest Cultural Tourism Report by Skyscanner.

In today’s era, people are not only keeping a travel budget aside but also curating itineraries specifically around the festive seasons. In fact, seven in ten travellers say they are open to exploring both local and international cultural diversity.

“Indian travellers are moving beyond holidays taken only for leisure. The growing quest for depth has given rise to a new archetype – the culture-curious traveller – one who seeks knowledge, connection and fulfilment,” says Neel Ghose, Skyscanner travel trends and destinations expert.

Festive first travel

Celebrating festivals is no longer a side activity. It’s becoming the main travel plan.

76 per cent of Indian travellers have altered their plans to attend a cultural event. And the hottest draws? Kolkata’s Durga Puja (53 per cent), Lathmar Holi in Barsana (51 per cent), and Onam in Kerala (35 per cent). For younger travellers, it’s about dancing, feasting, celebrating rather than just being passive observers.

Holi in India (Photo: Pexels)

Almost 55 per cent of Indian travellers have attended local festivals, fairs, or cultural events, the survey shows. And where is the bandwagon heading? Varanasi secures the top spot.

Interestingly, heritage cities are seeing renewed love. Kashi or Varanasi, one of the oldest Indian cities that brims with culture, heritage and traditions, has witnessed a 76 per cent jump in searches for 2025, followed by Jaipur, Agra, and Hampi.

Another growing category is the intrigue of the offbeat. A striking 93 per cent of travellers want to explore underrated destinations – tea festivals in Assam, tribal gatherings in Arunachal, or local heritage in Kerala. These offbeat spots are where authenticity thrives away from the commercialised masses.

Who are the trendsetters?

There are no brownie points for guessing who is leading this change – Millennials (84 per cent) followed by Gen Z (80 per cent).

At a time when travel trends are changing at lightening speed, solo travel is lowkey last season! It may have been the hype once, but family-first is back (fam jams for the win). 71 per cent prefer travelling with family, 62 per cent with friends, and 56 per cent with a partner.

And as this cultural wave builds, patterns are clear. Nearly four in ten want to explore heritage villages or eco-cultural communities, while 38 per cent are drawn to culinary trails revealing the historic roots of local cuisines. Dr. Aditi Rawat, associate fellow, Pahle India Foundation, explains that cultural tourism is evolving into “immersive storytelling,” blending comfort and discovery for longer, more meaningful stays.

Experience value remains the marker of success and 39 per cent of travellers consider a trip meaningful only if they return home having learnt something new about the place or its people.

Varanasi is one of the most searched cities when it comes to cultural tourism (Photo: Pexels)

Gathering anecdotes and lifetime experiences is all good, but before that comes the important yet boring part – planning. And the survey emphasises how this digitally driven age holds safety and smart planning at the centre.

Safety ranks as the top priority for 45 per cent of cultural tourists, followed by authenticity and timing. Most travellers start planning one to two months in advance, inspired by social media, family recommendations, and apps too.

Travel in 2025 is changing. While films like Zindagei Na Milegi Dobara gave us La Tomatina dreams, Millennials and Gen Z are all set to check off the bucket list with festivals and heritage closer to home.

– Ends

Published By:

Jigyasa Sahay

Published On:

Sep 1, 2025



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These Are The Best Whale Watching Spots In India – Travel and Leisure Asia

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September 2, 2025

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These Are The Best Whale Watching Spots In India  Travel and Leisure Asia



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Heavy Rains Lash Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad; Schools, Offices Closed, Airlines Issue Travel Advisory

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September 2, 2025

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Delhi-NCR Weather: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for Delhi-NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad, as relentless monsoon showers continue to lash northern India. Today’s weather forecast for Delhi warns of intense downpours throughout the day.

In Gurugram, heavy rains have triggered severe waterlogging and massive traffic jams, with reports of a 7-kilometre-long traffic snarl. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has issued an orange alert for the city, advising the closure of all schools, colleges, and offices, and encouraging work-from-home arrangements.

Meanwhile, Noida and Ghaziabad are also experiencing heavy rainfall. The IMD’s weather alert extends to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where a red alert has been issued due to the risk of flash floods and extremely heavy rainfall. Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir remain under an orange warning. As per today’s forecast, schools and offices in affected regions are expected to remain closed to ensure public safety.

Air India also issued a passenger advisory: ” Rain may impact flight operations to and from Delhi today. Please check your flight status here https://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html before heading to the airport and allow extra time for your journey to the airport.”

Delhi-NCR Rains: Avoid These Routes In Gurugram

Many parts of Gurugram experienced severe waterlogging on Monday following hours of continuous rain. Commuters reported flooding at major junctions including Hero Honda Chowk, Sohna Road, Narsinghpur stretch on NH-48, IFFCO Chowk, and Sectors 29 and 31. Traffic crawled along Golf Course Road and MG Road due to knee-deep water. Authorities have urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas during peak hours and to opt for alternate routes or work-from-home options where possible.

ALSO READ: Jammu-Kashmir Railway News: Jammu Tawi-bound 69 Trains Suspended Till September 30 Amid Landslides, Flood; Details

Delhi-NCR Rains: Are Schools, Offices Open In Gurugram Today?

Gurugram recorded over 100 mm of rainfall between 3 PM and 7 PM on September 1. In response to IMD’s orange alert, the District Disaster Management Authority has directed the closure of all offices on Tuesday (September 2), advising businesses to allow employees to work from home.

All schools in the district have also been advised to conduct online classes on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.





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The slow train from North Korea: How Kim Jong-un is travelling to China

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September 2, 2025

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SEOUL: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un left Pyongyang by train on Monday on his way to Beijing, Yonhap news agency reported, relying on a slow but specialised form of transport that the country’s leaders have used for decades.It was not clear which train he used, but in the past he has used bulletproof trains that offer a safer and more comfortable space for a large entourage, security guards, food and amenities, and a place to discuss agendas ahead of meetings, experts say. Since becoming the head in late 2011, Kim has used a train to visit China, Vietnam, and Russia.It is unclear how many trains North Korean leaders have used over the years, but Ahn Byung-min, a South Korean expert on North Korean transportation, has said multiple trains were needed for security reasons.Ahn said those trains have 10 to 15 carriages each, some of which are used only by the leader, such as a bedroom, but others carry security guards and medical staff. They also usually have space for Kim’s office, communications equipment, a restaurant, and several car transportation carriages for two armoured Mercedes, he added.A video released in 2018 by North Korean state TV showed Kim meeting with top Chinese officials in a wide train car ringed with pink couches. The video also showed the carriage housing Kim’s office, with a desk and chair, and a map of China and the Korean peninsula.In 2020, state TV footage showed Kim riding a train to visit a typhoon-hit area, offering a glimpse of a carriage decorated with flower-shaped lighting and zebra-printed fabric chairs.When Kim Jong-un took the train to Russia, including in 2023 for a summit with President Putin, its wheel assemblies had to be reconfigured at a border station because the two countries use different rail gauges, Ahn said.While there is no such requirement for China, a Chinese locomotive pulls the train once it crosses the border, because a local engineer knows the rail system and signals, said Kim Han-tae, a South Korean former train engineer.Ahn noted the serial numbers were either 0001 or 0002, suggesting China was providing him with engines reserved for the most senior officials. The train can reach speeds of up to 80kms/hr on China’s network, compared with a maximum of about 45kms/ hr on North Korea’s tracks, Ahn said. North Korea’s founding leader, Kim Il Sung, Kim’s grandfather, travelled abroad by train regularly until his death in 1994.(Taken from Reuters)





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