The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, is hosting the first-ever Wedding Tourism Summit and Expo, from October 18-19, 2024. The event brings together key stakeholders of India’s booming wedding tourism industry, including government bodies, tourism boards, and over 50 exhibitors. With the aim to bolster India’s position as a global wedding destination, the summit highlights the vast potential and untapped opportunities in this sector, which is currently the second-largest wedding industry worldwide after the United States.
The Wedding Tourism Summit serves as a platform to discuss the growing trend of destination weddings and their potential to contribute significantly to the Indian economy. The two-day event is not just an exhibition of services but a knowledge-sharing forum where industry experts, government officials, and business leaders will collaborate to explore ways to enhance the wedding tourism experience in India.
Focus on Destination Weddings
Destination weddings in India have gained immense popularity, not only among Indian families but also among foreign nationals seeking vibrant and culturally rich settings. India, with its diversity in landscapes, heritage locations, and luxury venues, is perfectly positioned to become a global hub for destination weddings. This event will explore ways to make this a reality.
The summit will host multiple panel discussions on how India can scale its destination wedding offerings to compete with other global hotspots. Representatives from key tourism boards of states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh will be present to showcase the unique wedding venues their regions have to offer.
Driving Business Volume and Growth in the Wedding Industry
India’s wedding industry is already massive, with an estimated market size that contributes significantly to the economy. From hospitality to fashion, decorations, catering, and travel, the industry is vast, creating millions of jobs and driving business across multiple sectors. The summit will delve into the business volume of wedding tourism, discussing the scope of investment, infrastructure development, and the role of government policies in supporting this thriving sector.Industry insiders, including Samit Garg, President of the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), will share insights on how organized events and specialized services can enhance the wedding tourism experience. Additionally, knowledge partners will provide data on the financial impact and future trends in this field.
India as a Global Wedding Hub
A key focus of the summit is to brainstorm strategies for positioning India as the biggest wedding hub globally. The country’s rich cultural heritage, diverse geography, and affordable luxury make it an ideal destination for weddings of all sizes. Currently, India holds the second-largest wedding industry globally, only behind the US. However, with the right promotion, infrastructure, and business strategies, India can capture a more significant share of the international market.The summit will also address the challenges faced by the industry, including infrastructure bottlenecks, regulatory hurdles, and the need for seamless coordination between various sectors to ensure a world-class experience for couples and their guests.
Key Discussions and Takeaways
The two-day summit will feature discussions on:
Current trends in destination weddings: How wedding planners, tourism boards, and the hospitality sector can collaborate to offer world-class wedding experiences.
Improving infrastructure and services: Ensuring that India’s top wedding destinations have the necessary infrastructure to handle high-profile, large-scale events.
Marketing India as a wedding destination: Promoting Indian destinations to a global audience through partnerships with international wedding planners, influencers, and travel agencies.
Sustainability in wedding tourism: Addressing how the wedding tourism industry can grow while promoting eco-friendly practices.
Role of State Tourism Boards
The PHDCCI Wedding Tourism Summit and Expo 2024 is set to be a game-changer for India’s wedding tourism industry. With the government’s support, insights from industry leaders, and active participation from state tourism boards, the event will pave the way for India to become a top wedding destination. This summit not only celebrates India’s cultural richness and diverse wedding venues but also focuses on enhancing business prospects and creating a more organized, structured wedding tourism industry.
By positioning India as a wedding hub on the global stage, the summit aims to unlock enormous potential for future growth, attracting both domestic and international clients to India’s vibrant and diverse destinations for their dream weddings
