India is positioning itself as the next big wedding destination, with the government actively promoting the concept of hosting weddings within the country. Prime Minister Modi first introduced the idea of “Wed in India” as a way to boost the economy through increased spending on weddings. The Skift Research survey estimates that Indian destination weddings have created a market worth $1.9 billion in outbound travel spending. The first-ever “Wed in India” expo in Jaipur brought together policymakers, tourism and hospitality stakeholders, and tour operators from over 50 countries to showcase the country as the world’s ideal wedding destination.
States like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Haryana, Kerala, and Goa are already popular wedding destinations within India. Rajasthan, where the expo is taking place, is known for its luxurious and opulent settings, making it a preferred choice for celebrity weddings. The state’s palaces, forts, and havelis converted into luxury heritage hotels provide a regal backdrop for extravagant celebrations. Luxury wedding venues like Fairmont Jaipur and Raffles Udaipur in Rajasthan have attracted high-end weddings, with other international hotel chains like Accor and Hilton investing in the region to cater to this growing market.
The Indian wedding ecosystem is ready to cater to the dynamics of wedding tourism, with the impact extending to the larger tourism industry. The expo highlighted India as a 365-day destination, dispelling the myth that it is only a favorable destination from October to March. The Skift report indicates that during the 2023 wedding season, 3.5 million couples got married in India, spending a total of $57 billion. There is a rising trend of booking luxury hotels and resorts for extravagant weddings, showcasing the evolving preferences in the wedding tourism sector.
In other tourism news, TBO Tek, a travel distribution company, is set to go public with an IPO aiming to raise $180 million. The platform serves as a convenient hub for travel agents to book flights and hotels, with access to over 750 airlines and a million hotels globally. Air India has announced direct flights between Delhi and Zurich starting in June, marking the carrier’s entry into Switzerland and expanding its network in Europe. Sarovar Hotels has opened a new property in Jaipur, while IndiGo has increased its frequency of flights between Delhi and Phuket, catering to the growing demand for travel between India and Thailand.
Online travel company EaseMyTrip unveiled the EXPLORE Bharat initiative at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 to promote the culture, heritage, festivals, and offbeat destinations of India among travelers from the UAE and the Middle East. This initiative aims to showcase India as a top travel destination and highlight its diverse offerings to a global audience. These developments in the tourism sector indicate India’s growing prominence as a favored destination for weddings, leisure travel, and cultural exploration, with the government and industry stakeholders working together to capitalize on these opportunities and boost the economy.
