The travel industry in Rajasthan is advocating for a significant improvement in infrastructure and connectivity across the state to support the government’s initiative to promote wedding tourism. According to industry experts, for destination weddings to flourish in Rajasthan, the government must ensure excellent infrastructure, particularly in areas with heritage properties.
Gaurav Khandelwal, owner of a travel agency, highlights that apart from Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ajmer, infrastructure development has been lacking in other parts of the state. He notes that due to this deficiency, destination weddings haven’t gained popularity in regions like Shekhawati, Kota-Bundi, and Pali-Sirohi. Consequently, the burden during the wedding season primarily falls on a few major cities.
Sanjay Kaushik, a tour operator, emphasizes that Indians living abroad who wish to organize weddings in Shekhawati face challenges in finding suitable heritage properties. However, obtaining a heritage destination is only part of the issue, as arrangements for accommodating 100-200 guests become problematic in areas like Shekhawati, Kota-Bundi, and Pali-Sirohi, which lack large hotels. Kaushik suggests that the government should offer incentives to encourage development in these areas.
In addition to infrastructure, air connectivity poses a challenge in these regions. Kaushik believes that Shekhawati, known for its painted frescoes and heritage havelis, has the potential to become a prime destination for weddings if adequate facilities are provided.
Ranvijay Singh, senior vice-president at Hotel Federation of Rajasthan, points out that if the government invests in infrastructure, it will yield dual benefits. Not only will it create new tourist destinations and boost tourism, but it will also lead to an increase in destination weddings. Singh mentions ongoing discussions with the state government regarding the new tourism unit policy, expressing optimism that the government will focus on improving tourism infrastructure.
Bhavani Shankar Mali, general secretary of All Wedding Industries Federation, Rajasthan, highlights that Rajasthan hosts 1.5-2 million weddings annually. He believes that if the state government makes efforts to enhance infrastructure facilities, destination weddings could increase by 5-10 percent, offering significant potential for economic growth.
The recent Great Indian Travel Bazaar, held in Jaipur in May, showcased Rajasthan as an ideal location for destination weddings through the Wed in India Expo. This platform emphasized the state’s unique heritage and cultural offerings, aiming to attract both domestic and international couples seeking memorable wedding experiences amidst Rajasthan’s grandeur.
