Indian winter travel preferences are undergoing a clear transformation, with travellers increasingly choosing cold-climate, experience-led international destinations over traditional tropical escapes. Recent reports show Indian outbound travel during the December 2025 to February 2026 period has grown by nearly 30 per cent year on year, driven by families and high-spending travellers seeking slower, more immersive journeys.
This change aligns with the global “cool-cation” trend, where colder destinations are preferred for their calm pace, wellness focus, and exclusivity. Winter travel is no longer a secondary season, but an opportunity for deeper cultural engagement and meaningful experiences.
Responding to this shift, Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, is reimagining the winter months with Carlton Cannes Fest 2026, a curated in-house winter festival running from 16 January to 28 February 2026. Designed to give travellers a compelling reason to visit during winter, the festival offers a layered programme that blends gastronomy, wellness, mixology, and the arts within the iconic French Riviera property.
Wellness takes centre stage through a partnership with YUJ Yoga, featuring immersive sessions overlooking the Mediterranean, led by founder Hélène Duval, catering to the growing demand for personalised luxury wellbeing experiences.
Gastronomy is a key pillar of the festival, with chef-led dining experiences across five winter weekends. Guest chefs include Michelin-starred Mallory Gabsi and Denis Lovatel, known for his sustainable, long-fermented pizza approach. Each menu is inspired by the beauty of Riviera light, combining food, wine pairings, and storytelling into a destination-worthy experience.
The cultural programme also includes a literary evening on 15 January 2026, bringing together leading authors and cultural voices for conversation and creative exchange. Artistic highlights feature floral design masterclasses and pop-up experiences by Djordje Varda, along with the Valentine’s weekend Chandell’Art experience at the Camélia Tea Lounge, where couples paint portraits of each other under professional guidance.
With Carlton Cannes Fest 2026, the hotel positions winter as a season of inspiration, creativity, and meaningful travel, resonating strongly with the evolving aspirations of Indian travellers.
