TravTalk India Online Magazine
Wedding industry shows support to the PM’s view on Indian families organising nuptials abroad and appeals to the Union Government to create infrastructure in the country for preventing the trend.
Suhani Sood
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged wealthy Indian families going abroad to organise their wedding ceremonies to give up the trend and manage them in India to support the country’s economy. Modi also urged people to purchase things made in India. Industry wedding planners, outbound tour operators, and hotel chains extended support to the Prime Minister’s view. However, they urged the Union government to develop infrastructure in the country, create new destinations and experiences, saying that it will help in the cause. The Union Ministry of Tourism is actively promoting weddings in India through ‘I do’ campaign.
Industry reaction
Commenting over the issue, Rajeev Jain, Director, Rashi Entertainment, said, “We support PM’s view on organising weddings in India. It will not only give boost to the wedding industry in India but also help the local economy.”
However, there are some issues with it. People who have money want to explore new exotic locations; they ask for foreign locations due to lack of infrastructure in India. “There is a strong need for infrastructural improvement (in the country). Monuments such as Purana Qila and India Gate, beaches in Goa, heritage sites in various states should be opened for weddings,” he suggested.
Sharing similar sentiments, Barun Gupta, General Manager, ExpoInn Suites & Convention, also emphasized on the need for better infrastructure in the country. “Identify new areas, exotic locations and experiences, which the industry will definitely support,” he said.
Win-win situation for all
Will the organisation of weddings in India affect the outbound business? Gupta said, “There will be no effect on the industry, as everyone is getting their own share of benefits. For example, if weddings will happen in India; hotels will be booked, our infrastructure will be used. People who want to go abroad can keep doing so, but no hotel or venue in India will remain empty just because the weddings will move abroad.” Vikramjeet Sharma, Founder and Managing Director, Le Florence Weddings, also explained how it is a win-win situation for everyone in the industry. “Weddings in India will increase demand for full-fledged, competent wedding planning agencies, which are well equipped to handle weddings. Hence, it’s a win-win for the wedding planners,” he said.
Employment generation
Pradippta Biiswaas, VP, Ananta Hotels & Resorts, said, “The move will greatly benefit the hospitality business, as more hotels will be needed to cater to the local weddings. This will enhance employment and give impetus to hotel revenues, tourist sites, and up wedding planners’ game.”
Digvijay Singh, Director of Sales & Marketing, Alila Fort Bishangarh, said that hosting weddings locally will go a long way in offering employment to our local talent, creating a bigger economy for various sectors, which will eventually lead to better infrastructure.
Weddings abroad, a concern?
However, there were some concerns over the PM’s suggestions. Guldeep Singh Sahni, Director, Weldon Tours & Travels, said, “While the leader of any country would like to increase tourism in his own country, having concerns about overseas weddings by the PM definitely sends panic signals to the wedding tourism industry. The panic is that the government will impose policies to curb overseas weddings.”
Sharon Immanuel, Business Head, BMP Weddings, said, “We understand the PM’s concerns. However, government can bring policies to promote weddings than those that may hamper international relations. Since it is one’s right to select where one wishes to celebrate the big event, it should be a matter of choice not compulsion.”
