Indian couples head for Thailand

Bangkok and Thailand’s beach resorts have emerged as the most popular destinations for large scale Indian weddings, according to figures released by Thailand’s hospitality sector.

By the end of 2013, over 200 Indian marriages are expected to have taken place in Thailand and surveys suggest that one of the chief reasons so many Indian couples are flocking to Thailand for their nuptials is that it is two or three times cheaper than their home country.

According to Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, resort destinations like Phuket and Pattaya are proving the most popular for Indian couples getting married in Thailand. Meanwhile, Anil Wadhwa, India’s ambassador to Thailand, also commented on the growing number of Indians flocking to the Land of Smiles to celebrate weddings.

This year’s Thai pavilion at the WTM featured a “Romantic Thailand” theme, which promoted the country as a destination for weddings and honeymoons. These sectors join golf, health & wellness and green tourism as the major prongs of the TAT’s strategic plan for 2014.

“The value of this [wedding] business alone is estimated to be around THB30 â€" 40 million (USD930,000 â€" USD1.2 million) a year, with an annual growth of approximately 15 â€" 20 percent,” he said. “Our estimate is around 300 Indian weddings plus seminars and company meeting would be held in Thailand this year,” he added.

Traditionally, Indian couples throw some of the most extravagant weddings in the world. As such, a large amount of revenue can be generated from guests that accompany the bride and groom. According to Wadhwa, over 1.5 million Indian tourists touched down in Thailand in 2012, and air traffic between India and Thailand currently includes more than 156 flights per week, with Bangkok connected by air to some 10 destinations in India.

With an increasing number of couples choosing the Thai Kingdom for weddings, there has been a significant growth in the amount of private properties across the country being offered as wedding venues.

For Indian weddings, in particular, the decorations, food and entertainment are all customised to reflect the couples and their family’s personal taste, with celebrations upholding the traditions from the bride and groom’s native cultures, no matter the wedding location.

Holding a marriage ceremony within the exclusive surroundings of a large holiday villa offers wedding guests more privacy than they can expect to find at a traditional resort. In addition, couples have more freedom to personalise various aspects of their wedding ceremony by working hand-in-hand with a professional wedding planner.

 

 

 

Posted by Max Vee