US, Nov. 8 -- On November 8, 2026, millions of homes, temples, streets, and public spaces are illuminated for Diwali, one of the world's most widely recognized religious and cultural festivals. For many Hindu families, it is a time of prayer, renewal, prosperity, and reunion. For millions of travelers, it is also a reason to return home, visit relatives, discover Indian traditions, or experience a destination transformed by light and celebration.

But Diwali is no longer only an Indian tourism story. Its influence extends across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.

For the global travel industry, Diwali raises a larger question: Can tourism benefit from one of humanity's most meaningful cultural celebratio...