By The Darbar Hall of Udaipur City Palace hosted a pivotal discussion session titled ‘Wedding in India – Opportunity in Rajasthan.’ This event was organized jointly by the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) and the Rajasthan Tourism Department, and began with a gracious welcome to H.H. Maharaj Kumar Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar.
The session focused on promoting Rajasthan as a top destination for weddings, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to boost tourism in India. H.H. Maharaj Kumar Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar, the keynote speaker, highlighted the significance of preserving and leveraging Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage. “Our culture is our strength. To promote tourism effectively, we must work together,” he asserted. He further emphasized Udaipur’s unique charm, comparing it to Venice, stating, “We aim for Udaipur to be recognized as the Venice of the East.”
Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Tourism Director of the Tourism Department, expressed pride in Udaipur’s global reputation for hosting weddings. “Udaipur’s majestic palaces and its renowned wedding venues have earned it international acclaim. This travel mart will be a key milestone in uniting essential elements to elevate tourism to new heights,” she noted.
FHTR President Mr. Kuldeep Singh Chandela, who moderated the session, discussed Udaipur’s growing role in tourism. “The rise in tourist arrivals has driven the expansion of hotels and overall development in Udaipur. Rajasthan is emerging as a premier wedding destination, attracting both domestic and international tourists with its heritage, historical landmarks, and the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative.”
The panel also explored opportunities to convert Rajasthan’s villages, palaces, and royal properties into wedding venues, aiming to enhance rural tourism and local employment. Additionally, the government’s vision includes forest conservation and the development of new forests to boost wildlife tourism.
Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) 2024
The discussion is part of the lead-up to the 4th Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM), scheduled for September 13-15, 2024, at Birla Auditorium, Jaipur. This year’s theme, ‘Wedding, Incentive, Conference, and Event,’ will feature over 200 stalls showcasing more than 600 properties. The event is expected to attract over 1,300 buyers and more than 7,000 visitors.
Other prominent speakers included Mr. Parthip Tyagarajan, CEO of Wedding Sutra; Mr. Rituraj Khanna, CEO of Q Events Pvt Ltd; Mr. Dushyant Periwal, Founder and CEO of Weddings by WDNE; as well as Kuldeep Singh Chandela, President of FHTR; CA Virendra Singh Shekhawat, Secretary of FHTR; Mahendra Singh Rathore, President of RATO; Tarun Kumar Bansal, President of HRAR; and Ranvijay Singh, Secretary of HRAR. The session provided valuable insights and addressed attendees’ queries.
For more information on RDTM 2024, visit the FHTR website at https://fhtr.in/. The mart offers a platform for stakeholders in the tourism sector to showcase products related to heritage, adventure, wildlife, pilgrimage, weddings, eco and village tourism, and more, facilitating B2B meetings. The fourth edition of RDTM aims to globally position Rajasthan as the premier destination for weddings, significantly enhancing state tourism.
The organization of RDTM is supported by the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA), Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO), Jodhana Hotels and Restaurants Association (ZARA), and the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI).
