Hyderabad’s Culinary Culture Emerges as the City’s Defining Cultural Identity, Reveals Skyscanner

A new study released by global travel app Skyscanner titled The India Culture Travel Index reveals that culinary experiences, local traditions, and festivals are rapidly reshaping holiday planning among travelers from Hyderabad. According to the findings, 1 in 2 Hyderabad residents now plan trips primarily around cultural experiences, while 8 in 10 report a growing interest in culture-led travel over recent years. Regional food experiences top the list of cultural draws at 56%, followed by festivals and celebrations (54%) and spiritual journeys (51%).

Commenting on the shift, Neel Ghose, Travel Trends and Destinations Expert at Skyscanner India, noted:

“For Hyderabad travellers, culture is no longer just part of the destination, it’s increasingly becoming the reason for the trip. Food is leading that shift, reflecting a growing desire to experience places through their local flavours, traditions and communities. At the same time, Hyderabad’s strong connection to spiritual heritage and Telugu culture shows that travellers are looking for experiences that feel authentic and meaningful.”

Key Behavioral Shifts and Travel Preferences:
Willingness to Explore Beyond State Borders: Nearly all Hyderabad travelers (95%) have traveled outside Telangana for a cultural experience, with 87% open to visiting lesser-known domestic destinations in search of authentic heritage. Key drivers include a growing pride in India’s heritage (49%) and the rise of food, craft, and heritage trails (43%).

Top Regional and Domestic Preferences: When ranking regions with the richest cultural experiences, Hyderabad residents placed Telangana alongside Kerala (18%) and Andhra Pradesh (17%). Regionally, iconic landmarks like Charminar, spiritual hubs like Yadadri and Bhadrachalam, and traditional Telugu arts form the core of local identity.

Festival-Driven Travel: Nearly three in four residents would travel specifically for a cultural or religious festival. Durga Puja (38%) and Diwali (37%) lead the preferences, followed by Kumbh Mela (33%), Pongal (33%), Bathukamma (32%), Navratri Garba (31%), and Bonalu (31%).

International Aspirations: Overseas cultural travel attracts strong interest, with 90% of respondents either having taken an international culture-focused trip or expressing openness to doing so. Japan (22%) ranks as the top international cultural destination, followed by Thailand and Vietnam (17%), France (16%), and the United Kingdom (15%).

Barriers to Travel and Planning Tools:
Despite high enthusiasm, practical hurdles continue to influence travel decisions. Safety concerns remain the primary barrier at 40%, followed by weather-related disruptions (34%), crowded destinations (33%), accommodation availability (33%), and high travel costs (32%).

To help travelers navigate these factors, Skyscanner highlights several built-in planning tools such as Explore with AI, Price Alerts, Whole Month Search, Nearby Airports, Flight Tracker, and DROPS designed to simplify budget tracking, date flexibility, and itinerary building around seasonal events.