If there is a variety in most things that Indians do, then there is a market for them. This is the mantra behind the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) scouting for a market in Indian marriages. Though a recent phenomenon, several Indian families are flying to Thailand for performing marriages.
Each marriage party typically spends 7 to 9 days and provides business to hotels by booking almost all rooms. Enthused by the response, the tourism department is now including Indian weddings in its itinerary and is pitching with the tour operators in India.
Speaking to Business Standard, TAT director Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, said there was a lot of business potential in Indian weddings as a large number of guest attend the occasion. On an average, a marriage sees about 200 guests coming to Thailand and the average spend is about $200 (Rs 9,000) per head for three nights.
Though held away from home, the marriages are performed with all the rituals. The TAT provides Indian purohits, cuisine and music and ambiance through wedding planners. Mehendi, photography and videography are an integral part. The TAT arranges these in association with the tour operator.
At times, it also puts advertisements in local dailies for booking of the hotel for the marriages. The services include receiving the guests at the airport, ferrying them to the hotels and later arranging sight seeing. The newly weds are offered special packages like extended stay or for their honeymoon.
Last year, over 500,000 Indians visited Thailand and this year it is expecting 600,000 footfalls. The TAT, however, does not have figures on how many Indian marriages have taken place. Chattan said there were plans to invite Bollywood stars for special occasions.
Likewise, Malaysia too is devising exclusive products for the newly weds. According to Tourism Malaysia (convention division) director Zulkifly Md said the department was marketing Penang and Lanka Vi islands as honeymoon destinations. “There is a good awareness about Malaysia among Indians,” he said.
Indian tourist arrivals to Malaysia showed a 32 per cent growth for the January-August 2008 period at 377,011, compared with last year’s arrivals for the same period.