The Philippines – an emerging wedding destination for a new generation of Indians

(photo by Jamie Lihan for Imagine Nation Photography)

An article appearing recently in Express TravelWorld says there is a growing market in Destination Weddings among Indian nationals.  It notes that Thailand attracts one of the highest number of Indian weddings annually.  And the Philippines, having hosted two Indian wedding in Cebu last year, also has potential for growth especially as Philippine Airlines launches direct flights between Manila and Delhi by March 2011.

Below is an excerpt from the article ‘I do’ on distant shores by Sudipta Dev:

Indian weddings get bigger and fatter, destination weddings have become an aspiration for the new generation of millionaires in the country. Though an emerging segment, the high returns is leading international tourism boards, airlines and hotels to concentrate on targeting this niche market.

For an industry that is estimated to be worth `1,90,000 crore and growing at an aggressive rate of 25 per cent per annum, Indian weddings is a behemoth market segment that has been spurred by the spending powers of high net worth individuals who are growing in numbers by the day.  As Indian weddings get fatter and bigger, the aspirational values also reach a highpoint – in the last five years, or so, the craze for having elaborate destination weddings overseas has led to a lot of activity in wedding travel front. Considered as a high-end tourism product, international tourism boards, airlines and hotels are proactively wooing this segment and laying out the red carpet to get a share of the pie.  From locations that span across nearby Thailand and Sri Lanka to the French Riviera and Morocco, Indian weddings are literally going places, and how.

Interestingly, destination weddings organized overseas is not just a trend of displaying opulence and reaffirmation of status, but as many industry experts argue, actually a value for money proposition– as the guest lists gets smaller and more exclusive, the cost of organizing a wedding at a five-star hotel in Thailand or Malaysia might actually prove to be more cost-effective than holding it in India.

The Philippines is yet another recently discovered destination that has emerged on the wedding map for Indians – the long haul notwithstanding.  Shilpa Sethi, general manager, Philippine Tourism, acknowledges that destinations in Philippines are being considered for weddings, especially Cebu, which was host to two Indian weddings in 2010. “Philippine Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights from March 2011.  This will be an added advantage for tapping the wedding segment as the wedding travelers prefer to fly by a direct flight. We are working on the approach on how to tap this market,” says Sethi.  The Philippine Tourism has also been promoting Boracay and Cebu as the ideal honeymooners destinations.

Wedding tourism is one of the major focuses of Thunderbird Resorts that has two properties in Philippines – in the highland oasis of Binangonan, Rizal and the peninsula of Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union.  According to Fabio Moretti, country manager, Thunderbird Resorts Philippines, Indians going to the Philippines for their weddings will feel ‘at home’ and yet experience a different and unique type of celebration. “The growing local wedding industry can provide couples with wide-ranged services and products fit for their preferences. We have creatively and meticulously prepared great wedding packages that would tailor-fit to the needs and wishes of couples. Those who have celebrated their weddings at the resort have given us commendations for the personalized service from our team,” adds Moretti. [FULL ARTICLE]

An article in Philippine Star noted that destination weddings have become very popular for the Indian community in the country as their relatives from all over the world fly into the host country to bond with loved ones and enjoy the wedding as well as the tourist attractions.  It is also a venue for youngsters to meet, party and discover that special someone and maybe fall in love. As the Fil-Indian community grows, in spite of being very modern and cosmopolitan, many of the youth retain their “desi” spirit and opt for a traditional wedding.  [source]

For wedding suppliers keen on tapping this growth market, here’s an overview on Indian weddings.  To see the grandeur and colorful festivities in an Indian wedding, watch this onsite video by Wang Videography shot in Cebu last year.