editorial

Dear Reader,

Globally, the Indian wedding industry is already pegged at `30005000 crore, growing at a pace of over 40 per cent annually. Whether it’s an elite and exclusive wedding or the big fat Indian wedding, this segment only speaks big business. The wedding industry of India is a recession-proof and resilient industry, with organisers continuously innovating to leave guests awestruck. In our cover story, we zero-in on the latest trends in the wedding business from wedding planners, MICE agents, hoteliers, and vendors. Also, in our guest column, Birju C Gariba, CEO and Executive Director, Platinum World Group, elaborates on the nuances of planning weddings at a grand scale, while making them special for the bride and groom.

Another segment that is making waves is that of weddings on cruise ships. While the idea of cruising itself is still struggling to get the Indian holidaymaker’s attention, history has shown that the people of the country are keen on more adventurous setups when it comes to weddings. Purely based on this quirkiness, perhaps weddings on cruise liners may just bode well with the Indian market. Also, cruise weddings offer better profits for agents while providing to be a novel experience for guests and the couple alike.

The UN World Economic Situation and Prospects’ revised report for mid-2017 projects a downward revision of growth for India from 7.7 per cent to 7.3 per cent. In our mid-year review, MICE agents tell us how the first half of 2017 has been for them. With a magical 'brag factor' and aspirational value, international MICE trips continue to be a great motivator for employees and dealers. The most popular destinations among Indians still seem to be Dubai and the Far East mainly Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.

In an interview, Sabbas Joseph, President, Event and Entertainment Management Association of India (EEMA), talks about the evolution of the events industry and how it relies a great deal on technology. With use of technology gaining momentum, interactive sessions have become imperative, and 3D experiences have also now gone beyond touch and feel. Finally, our counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo shares tips on how today’s business era is initiating CSR and winning the hearts of employees while gaining the status of being the best workplace for them.

Keep reading and giving your feedback to us at: micetalk@ddppl.com