Govt plans to attract both desi and international couples to make India the global wedding destination
According to a report by KPMG, the Indian wedding market was estimated to generate R lakh crore annually a few years ago, and the current figures are believed to be even higher considerable portion of this spending occurs during lavish destination weddings held ab The govt plans to launch a campaign to woo desi and global couples to wed in India.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a "wed in India"
movement, the Union Tourism Ministry is gearing up to launch a new
campaign, "India says I do", on a large scale for not only encouraging
affluent Indian families to host weddings within the country but also to
draw foreign couples to tie the knot on Indian soil, a TOI report stated.
According to a report by KPMG, the Indian wedding market was
estimated to generate Rs 3-4 lakh crore annually a few years ago, and the
current figures are believed to be even higher. A considerable portion of
this spending occurs during lavish destination weddings held abroad.
Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) had predicted a staggering
expenditure of Rs 4.7 lakh crore on 38 lakh weddings during the period
from November 23 to December 15, marking a 25 per cent increase from
the previous year. This includes expenses on various wedding essentials
such as jewelry, attire, venues, gifts, and catering.
The "India says I do" campaign is being planned by the Ministry of
Tourism, emphasizing the vast infrastructure and diverse venues
available across the country. These range from enchanting palaces, forts,
and havelis to banquet halls catering to different budget brackets. The
objective is not only to position India as a premier wedding destination
for its citizens but also to attract a global clientele.
An anonymous senior government official affirmed the impending
launch of the campaign, stating, "The ministry is finalizing contours of
'India says I do' which will showcase the massive infrastructure and
available venues ranging from dreamy palaces, forts and havelis to
banquet halls in all price brackets. The aim is to showcase India as a
wedding destination for not just the desis but foreigners too."
Indian families have been known to splurge on weddings abroad,
reserving entire five-star hotels in European capitals for their
celebrations. With neighboring international destinations actively
courting rich Indian families, the local tourism industry has also
recognized weddings as a significant draw for Indian travelers.
Prime Minister Modi's push for "wed in India" has already influenced
some affluent families. An aircraft charter operator, speaking
anonymously, disclosed receiving cancellations for wedding charters
from South India to the Gulf. These cancellations came from business
families unwilling to take any chances, indicating a shift in preferences
due to Modi's initiative. The surge in wedding charters from India,
witnessed post-COVID, has declined as affluent families now seek to
break away for 3-4 days within the country.
