The Role of Indian Food Culture in Reshaping Travel Behaviour and Tourism in India.

This study examines the role of Indian food culture in reshaping travel behavior and tourism development in India within the context of the growing shift towards experience-driven and culture-centric travel. As contemporary travelers increasingly seek authenticity, cultural immersion, and meaningful local engagement, food has emerged as a crucial determinant influencing destination choice, travel motivation, and overall tourist satisfaction. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical research design based exclusively on secondary data collected from authoritative sources, including the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), UNESCO reports, state tourism departments, and peer-reviewed academic literature. The analysis covers a three-year period from 2023 to 2025 and employs tools such as trend analysis, percentage analysis, comparative analysis, content analysis, and thematic analysis. The findings reveal a steady growth in culinary tourism initiatives such as food festivals, culinary trails, heritage dining experiences, and gastronomic events, indicating the increasing integration of food culture into tourism development strategies. Indian food culture—characterized by regional diversity, traditional culinary practices, and contemporary innovations—significantly influences travel behavior, particularly among Millennial and Generation Z travelers. The study concludes that culinary tourism enhances destination branding, supports local economies, and contributes to sustainable tourism development, underscoring the strategic importance of food culture in India’s tourism planning and policy framework.