(In pictures: Chetan Vorah, Arpita Gandhi, Vaibhav, Deepak Choudhary, Anushree Agarwal, Bhavnesh Sawahney)
The Wed in India Expo 2024, held from 30th April to 2nd May at the beautiful Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, wrapped up with great success, marking an important moment for India’s wedding tourism industry. My partner, Hemant, attended the expo and came back with amazing stories about the marketplace that brought together stakeholders from around the world. This event was organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Esteemed partners such as HRAR, IHHA, and RATO also lent their support, making the event highly acclaimed and eagerly attended.
(In picture: International delegates and EEMA leadership engaging in the lounge)
The event showcased the vast potential of India’s wedding tourism sector. With over 11,000 business meetings between 275 Foreign Tour Operators (FTOs) from more than 50 countries and nearly 200 Indian sellers, the expo created a vibrant platform for partnerships, collaborations, and networking. The expo featured 300 exhibition booths displaying luxurious accommodations, bespoke wedding planning services, and immersive cultural experiences.
(In picture: Siddharth Chaturvedi, Arun Bablani, Gina Rodriguez, Pascale Akiki, Zamiha Desai and Aarti Manocha)
GITB – The Great India Travel Bazaar expo was bigger than what it was last year, which amplified opportunities for collaboration in the tourism sector. This combined approach showcased India as a top destination for both celebrations and vacations. Led by the Events and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA).
(In picture: National and International delegates)
One key focus of the event was the collaboration between government bodies and private enterprises. Hemant shared how the expo highlighted the importance of investing in wedding infrastructure. The expo also addressed innovative solutions to common challenges, such as cash spending norms and permissions for wedding venues.
(In pictures: Art at Wed in India Expo 2024)
As we reflect on the success of the Wed in India Expo 2024, I’m filled with optimism about the future of India’s wedding tourism sector. I look forward to our friends from India and international wedding planners to engage actively with us and bring a day where Wedding tourism is really for the Indian Space. While I may not have been physically present, but the stories have made me excited about what’s next for our industry✨
