Anvi
Amit Khanna Staff answered 2 months ago
As a hotel owner who has been running a property in India for more than a decade, I have seen the ups and downs of tourism firsthand. Before COVID, inbound tourism was a steady source of revenue, especially during peak travel seasons. But in the years after the pandemic, international arrivals have been far fewer than expected. Many of us in the hospitality sector are struggling to recover, and we are looking for innovative ideas to bring back travelers.
One suggestion that has gained attention is modeling Indian festivals on global carnivals—grand, colorful, and highly marketable events like Rio’s Carnival in Brazil. On the surface, it sounds exciting. After all, tourists love spectacle. They want to see scale, music, dance, and vibrant celebrations. India already has rich festivals with massive cultural depth—Holi, Diwali, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, and region-specific traditions like Bathukamma in Telangana or Onam in Kerala. If packaged well, they can surely match the energy of international carnivals.
From a business perspective, I can see the potential benefits. Tourists often plan their trips around major events. If India could position its festivals as “must-see spectacles” the way Rio markets its Carnival or Munich promotes Oktoberfest, it would give international visitors a reason to book flights, stay in hotels, and spend on local experiences. For us hoteliers, that would mean fuller rooms, better occupancy rates, and more stable revenue. Festivals could become annual drivers of tourism rather than one-time cultural events.
But there are challenges too. Indian festivals are rooted in tradition, spirituality, and community. They are not just entertainment; they are lived experiences with religious, cultural, and emotional significance. If we try to commercialize them too much, there is a risk of diluting their meaning. Tourists may come for the spectacle, but locals could feel disconnected if their customs are turned into a “show.” We must be careful not to lose authenticity in the name of marketing.
Perhaps the solution lies in balance. Instead of “modeling” our festivals directly on global carnivals, we can “package” them better for tourists. That means professional event management, guided cultural experiences, multilingual promotions, and proper infrastructure. For example, a Holi festival experience for international tourists could include safe colors, music, food stalls, and storytelling sessions about its origins. Similarly, Durga Puja in Kolkata could be promoted as a week-long cultural extravaganza with curated pandal tours, local food walks, and craft fairs.
I strongly believe India doesn’t need to copy anyone. Our festivals are already larger and more colorful than most global carnivals. What we need is global branding, professional marketing, and an assurance of safety, cleanliness, and easy access. If the government, tourism boards, and private businesses like mine work together, we can make Indian festivals global crowd-pullers without compromising their roots.
In the end, tourists don’t just want a party. They want authenticity, culture, and stories they can take home. If India can provide that while making festivals more tourist-friendly, inbound tourism will surely bounce back—and so will the fortunes of hotel owners like me.
Nidhi Staff answered 2 months ago
I don’t think our festivals should be “modeled” on global carnivals, because the uniqueness of Indian culture is what already attracts tourists. Bathukamma, Holi, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi – they are vibrant and authentic in their own right. If we try to copy Rio Carnival or other formats, we risk losing originality.
That said, we can certainly package and present our festivals in a more organized, globally appealing way – better infrastructure, promotions, cultural showcases, maybe even adding parades or performances inspired by international events. The essence should remain Indian, but the execution can be world-class.
So yes, promote festivals like global carnivals, but don’t make them replicas. Tourists come here for India’s diversity, not for a version of what they already see abroad.
Subhash Staff answered 2 months ago
As someone who has worked in India’s inbound travel industry for years, I often interact with international travelers who are fascinated by our country’s diversity, color, and cultural depth. Indian festivals are a natural magnet for tourists. Events like Holi, Diwali, Durga Puja, and Pushkar Fair are already global names. The recent discussion about modeling Indian festivals—such as Telangana’s Bathukamma—on the lines of world-famous carnivals like Rio’s, is thought-provoking and deserves a balanced perspective.
On one hand, there is no denying that global tourists today look for large-scale, visually spectacular events. The Rio Carnival, Oktoberfest in Germany, or Mardi Gras in New Orleans are not just festivals but full-fledged experiences. They bring in massive tourism revenues and put their cities on the world map. If some of our Indian festivals were re-imagined with a similar approach—grand floats, synchronized parades, live performances, lighting, and hospitality tie-ins—it could indeed draw more global footfall. Tourists who want entertainment, spectacle, and “Instagram-worthy” experiences might find this very appealing.
From a tourism marketing perspective, it would also make our festivals more accessible to foreigners. Many travelers hesitate to join traditional Indian festivals because of language barriers, lack of information, or infrastructure challenges. If we had a structured carnival-style presentation—organized seating, guided tours, safe viewing zones, clear event calendars—it would make participation easier. For example, a Bathukamma float parade on Hussainsagar Lake with lighting and commentary in multiple languages could be both authentic and tourist-friendly.
However, we must also be cautious. Indian festivals are deeply rooted in community, faith, and tradition. If we start “packaging” them entirely for foreign audiences, we risk losing their essence. Unlike Rio Carnival, which is largely a performance, most Indian festivals have strong religious and cultural significance. Bathukamma, for instance, is not just about flowers and music; it is a devotional celebration of Goddess Gauri. If we dilute the spiritual context in favor of spectacle, it might upset local communities and reduce authenticity, which ironically is what many international tourists come seeking.
The sweet spot, in my opinion, lies in careful balancing. We don’t need to copy global carnivals outright. Instead, we should modernize the way we present Indian festivals without erasing their cultural soul. Better infrastructure, curated festival packages, multi-lingual guides, clean facilities, and safety measures can make festivals more welcoming for foreigners. Adding elements of entertainment and spectacle—such as thematic parades or music concerts—can be layered onto the traditional rituals, not replace them.
For instance, during Diwali, instead of just encouraging tourists to walk through crowded bazaars, we could host curated “Diwali Experience Zones” in cities like Jaipur or Varanasi, with live diya-lighting, storytelling, folk performances, and safe firework shows. Similarly, Holi events could be organized with eco-friendly colors, music, and cultural workshops, giving travelers a safe yet authentic taste of the festival.
In short, Indian festivals don’t need to be carbon copies of global carnivals, but we can certainly adopt some best practices in event management, promotion, and presentation. Done with sensitivity, this approach will enhance the visitor experience, generate tourism revenue, and still preserve the spiritual and cultural essence that makes India unique.
raman Staff answered 2 months ago
As someone who has lived in both Europe and the USA for many years, but also travels back to India regularly, I see Indian festivals from two different lenses. On one hand, I experience highly commercialized and tourist-friendly events abroad like Oktoberfest in Germany, Rio Carnival in Brazil, or Thanksgiving parades in the USA. On the other hand, I witness the deeply traditional, community-driven celebrations in India such as Durga Puja, Diwali, Holi, or Bathukamma. The question of whether Indian festivals should be modeled on global carnivals to attract tourists is therefore a complex one.
India is already unique in its cultural depth. When I bring my foreign friends to India, what amazes them is not a carnival-like show, but the authenticity of rituals, the devotion of people, and the local colors that cannot be replicated anywhere else. Festivals in Europe or the US are often curated with the tourist in mind—timed parades, standardized performances, heavy branding. While this makes them easy for outsiders to consume, it sometimes strips away the essence. If India goes down that road, there’s a risk that festivals will lose their spiritual core and turn into staged spectacles.
At the same time, I do recognize the importance of tourism. A well-organized, slightly structured presentation of Indian festivals can make them more accessible to global visitors. For instance, Durga Puja in Kolkata or Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai already attract international attention because they are spectacular and relatively organized. Foreigners love Holi because it feels immersive yet easy to participate in. If the government or tourism boards add more infrastructure—such as guided tours, information booths, safety measures, cultural workshops—it would make these festivals friendlier to outsiders without diluting their meaning.
The example of Bathukamma in Telangana, being compared to Rio Carnival, is interesting. I think India does not need to “copy” global formats, but it can borrow organizational ideas. For instance, creating designated viewing areas for tourists, curating cultural parades that explain traditions, or offering festival passes with local experiences could make festivals more tourist-friendly. However, the heart of the event should remain with the local community, not with a stage performance for cameras.
From my personal experience, foreigners often seek authenticity rather than imitation. When I took my European colleagues to Jaipur during Diwali, what impressed them most was being invited into a local family’s home, seeing diyas lit everywhere, and experiencing the warmth of community celebrations. No carnival could replicate that feeling. On the other hand, they were confused about where to go, how to participate, and what was appropriate. A little more guidance would have made their experience smoother.
So, my answer is: Indian festivals should not be modeled on global carnivals, but they should be better curated for global audiences. India’s strength lies in its originality. By blending traditional authenticity with professional organization, India can both preserve culture and attract tourism. What the world needs from India is not another Rio Carnival, but the true magic of Indian spirituality, community, and color—presented in a way that the world can appreciate.