Rajasthan Focuses on Weddings, Conferences to Boost Tourism

12.07.2024 - 21:27 / skift.com / Katy Perry / Alan Watts / Bulbul Dhawan

The western state of Rajasthan has signed an agreement with the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) to develop tourism in the state. Tourism is a key source of revenue for the state. 

According to figures released by the Rajasthan tourism department, the state received 179 million domestic and 1.7 million international tourists in 2023. In order to enhance this potential, the state has granted industry status to tourism, along with improving rural tourism and revising heritage policies in the state. 

Focus on Weddings, Conferences: As part of the agreement, the state’s tourism department will work with FHTR to organize Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart in Jaipur in September. The event will have the theme ‘Wedding, Incentive, Conference and Event.’

The aim is to make the mart a platform for industry players to showcase their products for weddings, adventure activities, wildlife, pilgrimage, heritage areas, and eco and village tourism. 

Weddings in Rajasthan: The state is a key wedding destination in India, with heritage properties across the state acting as backdrop for extravagant celebrations.

An earlier wedding feature by Skift cited Alan Watts, Hilton’s Asia Pacific president as saying, “If you’re going to do uber-luxury in the India market, you need to do it in Rajasthan, so you can attract high-end weddings because that’s where the true dollar value is.” This is the reason the company selected Jaipur to debut its Waldorf Astoria brand in India.

The state has witnessed several high-end weddings, including those of Elizabeth Hurley, Katy Perry and Russell Brand, and Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas.

Last year, the election body in India changed the voting date for Rajasthan from November 23 to November 25, as more than 50,000 weddings were scheduled to be held on November 23 alone.

Due to its potential wedding business, the state has several expansive hotels, including brands such as Raffles, Fairmont, Oberoi, Radisson Blu, Leela, and The Westin. 

Recently, the inaugural Wed in India expo was also organized in Jaipur, during which the Indian tourism ministry promoted the country as the next big wedding destination. 

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