Paris Syndrome: Culture travel trends are shifting from destination-first planning to experience-first choices, reshaping how Indians explore their heritage. A Skyscanner India Culture Travel Index, unveiled in Delhi on July 29, surveyed 2,000 regular travellers and found that 84% now show greater interest in domestic cultural travel. Additionally, 67% actively plan holidays around specific cultural experiences, with heritage sites, festivals like Durga Puja and Ganesh Chaturthi, and regional food leading the motivation.
Culture travel now prioritises curiosity over logistics. According to Skyscanner expert Neel Ghose, younger Gen Z travellers ask What should we experience? instead of Where should we go? They use social media and AI tools to research cultural interests, such as specific architectural styles, before selecting a destination. The result is an interest-first approach where technology bridges the gap between cultural passion and practical trip planning, making experiences the core reason for travel.
However, Paris Syndrome warns against expecting culture to remain frozen in time. Dr Navina Jafa, a heritage tourism expert, explains that culture is a living response to geography and environment. As surroundings change, communities adapt traditions, but authenticity lies in the continuity of stories, not in static preservation. Visitors should embrace this evolution rather than seek a romanticised past version of a destination.
This cultural shift is best understood through living crafts, like the Skyscanner exhibition at The Stainless Gallery, Delhi, open July 30-31. Artisans demonstrated Ajrakh block printing, Kalighat painting, and Patachitra scrolls, with artists like Madhumita Chitrakar singing folk tales while blending contemporary themes. These crafts show that culture travel thrives on dynamic heritage, sustainability, and generational knowledge. Ultimately, culture is not a passing trend but a permanent behavioural change, enriching every journey with deeper meaning.