States bet on Big, Fat Indian wedding

Parul Chhaparia / TNN / Sep 2, 2006, 02:57 IST

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In a bid to cash-in on the marriage fervour, a host of states are now offering to play wedding planners for well-heeled Indians and foreigners.

NEW DELHI: The lavish spending on Indian marriages is giving several states knotty thoughts. In a bid to cash-in on the marriage
fervour, a host of states — spread across the length and breadth of India — are now offering to play wedding planners for well-heeled Indians and foreigners.
Rajasthan tourism ministry has already initiated dialogue with a number of tour operators and hoteliers to promote the state as the ideal spot to say your nuptial vows.On offer — as the ideal spot for tieing the knot — are the scores of palaces dotting the state's vast landscape.
"Though the segment is very small right now, we feel it has a huge growth potential," says Vinod Zutshi, secretary, Rajasthan tourism department. "After the publicity that we got with celebrities coming to Rajasthan for royal weddings, we felt this could be another area we can look at to earn more revenue." adds Zutshi.

According to rough industry estimates, the cost of organising such weddings starts from Rs 5 lakh. Industry insiders say the upper limit would depend on the place, arrangements and the number of people attending the event.
"Ancient palaces, heritage hotels, colourful traditions and the shahi costumes are the main attractions," says rajasthan tourism minister Usha Punia. "Cities like Jaipur and Udaipur, which have big palaces, heritage hotels, serve as perfect venues. Add to that camels, elephants and ethnic jewelleries, and they make Rajasthan a hot destination for royal weddings."

"What's interesting is the fact that not only affluent Indians, but even a number of foreigners are now opting for such weddings," Punia adds.
If Rangilo Rajasthan is betting on its maharaja-style shadi, others like Uttaranchal and Goa are hardselling their natural beauty to woo the wedding party.
"It's a big segment and we are now exploring the idea on a larger scale," says Satyen Nagwekar, marketing manager, Goa Tourism.
"We have been noticing the trend for some time now. There are a number of people from Gujarat and Bengal coming to Goa to get married on the beaches," adds Nagwekar.
A growing population, especially from north India, is also flocking the hills — not on weekend getaways, but to get married. "There are also a number of foreigners who come to Haridwar, Risikesh and tie the knot in the ashrams there. We are studying the segment closely and see a lot of potential," says Arun Srivastava, director (marketing), Uttaranchal Tourism.
Event managers are also seeing big bucks in this new-found fad. "A lot of NRIs are coming to India to get married not only in Rajasthan but also in Goa because of its beaches, and Amba Valley which has perfect ambiance and infrastructure to its beauty," says event manager Gurlein Manchanda.
The wedding bells also mean big business for tour operators and hoteliers. "People who come for such royal weddings are big spenders, and we make special arrangements to meet all their needs," says Bharat Hotels chairman Lalit Suri.
Besides generating additional revenue for the travel industry, Suri says, such events help in spreading a good word in the global markets about India as a destination.

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