TravelBiz Monitor: GITB promotes India as a premier wedding tourism destination

The 13th edition of ‘The Great Indian Travel Bazaar’ (GITB) wrapped up in Jaipur, Rajasthan with a grand vision of India as a top wedding destination under the ‘Wed in India’ initiative. The premier tourism event featured 9 state tourism boards, including Odisha as the theme state, showcasing various wedding destinations to around 250 FTOs from 52 countries and 16 international wedding planners.

With a bustling exhibition of over 300 booths, domestic tour operators and 60 wedding planners engaged in fruitful discussions with their foreign counterparts, resulting in over 11,000 B2B meetings and business deals. The Ministry of Tourism’s innovative ‘Coolcation’ initiative also garnered significant interest from attendees.

The final day of the expo featured a master class by Chef Ajay Chopra, drawing a large crowd of Indian and foreign culinary enthusiasts. Following the event, FAM tours were organized on 3 tourism routes for both foreign and domestic tour operators and wedding planners.

The prestigious event was inaugurated by key industry figures including Manisha Saxena, IAS, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and Gayatri Rathore, IAS, Principal Secretary, Government of Rajasthan. The focus of GITB 2024 was to position India as a premier wedding destination, with cultural performances and film screenings showcasing the country’s rich heritage and architectural marvels for weddings.

Overall, the event was a resounding success, with industry representatives and attendees praising the efforts to promote India as a top choice for weddings and tourism.