Visa power to destination weddings
With a steady rise in Indian destination weddings, many tourism boards are trying to attract agents for this lucrative market by offering a range of incentives from assistance in visa procedures to wedding planning at the venue.
In Thailand, over 300 Indian weddings were held during 2015 and nearly 180 Indian weddings have taken place in the first half of 2016, informed Soraya Homchuen, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand-Mumbai Office. “There are many new locations to tie the knot at apart from Bangkok and Phuket like Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Krabi, Rayong and Trang, which are opening up for Indian weddings,” says Homcheun.
In France however, Indian weddings is still a niche segment but is catching up according to Sheetal Munshaw, Director-India, Atout France. “The most-sought after locations include Paris and cities in the French Riviera, Cannes and Monaco. We are also currently preparing for some forthcoming weddings and believe that France will find favour as a popular overseas destination for upscale Indian weddings," says Munshaw. South Africa is also gaining popularity for this segment of travel, offering varieties of stunning locations for Indian weddings and honeymoon as well. “We see a lot of destination weddings going to Cape Town and the Garden Route. There are a variety of options available like a Bush Wedding or wedding at wildlife destinations like the Kruger National Park or the game lodges at Eastern Cape; and Vineyard Wedding in wine estates of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Somerset West and the Klein Karoo,” says Hanneli Slabber, Country ManagerIndia, South African Tourism.
Group Size and Average Stay
In France, the average group size is approximately over 100-200 guests and choice of hotel category is five-star and mostly iconic properties. In South Africa, the bigger weddings typically host between 200-800 guests while intimate wedding parties in up-market venues usually feature 80 pax and less. In Thailand average stay is four nights five days and the average size of the group is 250-280 guests though the group size varies from 150 guests to 600 guests in some cases.
NTO Assistance
Atout France works in close association with the French Embassy and the French Consulates pan India to facilitate visas for closed groups alongside the travel agents involved. “We play a proactive role in facilitation of interaction between travel and wedding professionals in France from florists and chefs to entertainers, DMCs, transfer companies as well as caterers, decorators and a slew of allied professionals. Moreover our counsel is sought to hand pick signature venues for different functions and events as well as unusual travel experiences and locales in France for those who want to extend their stay pre or post the celebrations sojourning in France,” says Munshaw.
Slabber adds that South African Tourism assists to make the visa facilitation process simple and seamless. “The Consulate and High Commission treat every group visa application individually. We can assist by facilitating a meeting with the consular staff prior to applications so that they can work out the most seamless way of completing the required procedures. We offer support at various levels including provision of letters of sup- port, provision of destination collateral, site inspection, familiarisation trips, pre and post-wedding tours and venue selection assistance,” she says.
TAT however does not assist with the visas. “We take a large number of wedding planners to Thailand every year and work closely with the community so that they have the expertise to plan weddings. We now offer vintage cars or other kind of chic vehicle such as decorated TukTuk, Tricycle or Thai cultural performance at the wedding. We also help the agents with suggestions on suppliers etc. if needed,” says Homchuen.
She also suggests that the wedding planners should know about the custom formalities and process and have a Thai counterpart or shipping management to assist in case of big amount and value of the accessories being taken into Thailand to avoid problems.