India’s wedding industry is set to play a transformative role in boosting the country’s economy, according to insights shared at the 1st Wedding Tourism Summit & Expo, organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on October 18-19, 2024. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism and Culture, highlighted the immense potential of the wedding sector while addressing the event, attributing its growth to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives, which have lifted 25-30 crore Indians from poverty to the middle class.
Shekhawat pointed out that 54% of India’s population is under 30, and with 68 crore individuals under the age of 25 expected to get married in the coming years, the wedding industry has vast opportunities. “A large part of household income is spent on weddings, creating a huge potential for growth in the sector,” he said. He emphasized that this growth could fuel India’s tourism and contribute to making India a $1 trillion economy.
The minister also discussed India’s unrecognized domestic tourism. While India ranks 24th in global tourism indices, much of the country’s vast tourism potential, particularly in the unorganized sector, goes unaccounted for. For example, the millions of pilgrims visiting places like Kashi, Tirupati, and Ujjain are not counted in global tourism statistics, he noted.
Hemant Jain, newly appointed President of PHDCCI, highlighted India’s rich cultural and geographical diversity, which has made the country a dream wedding destination. He said, “The global wedding industry is valued at $300 billion, with India’s market accounting for $50 billion and growing at 20-25% annually.” Jain emphasized the rise of destination weddings and their significant contribution to boosting sectors like hospitality and aviation.
The summit explored how India can become a leading global wedding destination with the right policies, infrastructure, and promotional efforts. The Indian wedding industry is currently the fourth-largest in the country, generating $130 billion in spending annually and providing employment opportunities to millions.
Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General of PHDCCI, highlighted how the government’s initiatives, such as streamlining the visa process, have led to a significant increase in tourism last year. He pointed out that places like Rajasthan have already emerged as top global wedding destinations, and with the right focus, wedding tourism could further enhance India’s appeal to international travelers.
Samit Garg, President of the Event & Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), emphasized the importance of aligning industry practices and policies to unlock the full potential of wedding tourism in India. EEMA’s contributions to the Incredible India campaign and the Wedding Tourism Strategy draft underline the organization’s commitment to establishing India as a global leader in this sector.
The two-day event, supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and various state tourism boards, concluded with industry leaders calling for greater recognition of wedding tourism as a key pillar for both the tourism and broader economic sectors.
