India's luxury hotel sector is experiencing a significant boom in wedding bookings, as an increasing number of couples choose domestic venues over international destinations. This trend is largely attributed to ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the US-Iran conflict, alongside fluctuating flight schedules, escalating airfares, and general safety concerns associated with overseas travel.
Domestic Destinations Gain Traction
Leading hospitality chains across the country are reporting double-digit growth in both wedding enquiries and confirmed bookings. This surge provides a much-needed boost to the sector, helping to offset losses from disrupted international travel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also publicly encouraged Indians to consider domestic venues for their weddings, reinforcing the national preference.
Anil Chadha, Managing Director of ITC Hotels, confirmed a “strong demand” for weddings, noting a clear year-on-year uptick, especially at luxury properties in popular locations such as Goa, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur. He highlighted that the growing preference for domestic celebrations, coupled with international travel constraints, is a key driver.
Hotels Report Significant Growth
- Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL): Reported a 25% increase in wedding bookings at its Goa properties compared to the previous year. Ranjit Phillipose, Senior Vice President of Operations for Goa, stated that while destinations in the Middle East previously attracted many Indian weddings, safety concerns are now redirecting families back to Indian venues. Interestingly, even monsoon weddings in Goa, once uncommon, are now gaining popularity.
- Radisson Hotel Group: Witnessed double-digit growth in wedding enquiries across its portfolio, with properties in Goa, Nashik, Chandigarh, Indore, and Guwahati performing exceptionally well. Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and COO (South Asia), noted that travellers are increasingly opting for domestic destinations offering robust hospitality infrastructure, accessibility, and unique experiences.
- Marriott International: Its Noor Mahal Delhi NCR Karnal property is tracking more than 25% ahead of last year in wedding business. General Manager Mahesh Singh Jasrotia confirmed that several celebrations originally planned overseas are now shifting to India.
Expanding Offerings to Meet Demand
In response to this growing trend, hotel groups are actively expanding their wedding-specific offerings:
- Fairmont Jaipur: Has introduced “The Green Kitchen,” a specialized vegetarian culinary concept tailored for Jain and Marwari weddings.
- Sarovar Hotels: Is promoting emerging destinations like Pilibhit, Sindhudurg, and Mathura. The group reported that weddings and related events contributed nearly 16% of its overall food and beverage revenue during the first five months of 2026.
- Leisure Hotels Group: Has seen a 20% jump in wedding enquiries and is developing a dedicated wedding platform to streamline planning and strengthen its presence in the segment.
The shift towards domestic weddings underscores a broader trend of leveraging India's diverse hospitality infrastructure to host grand celebrations, providing stability and growth for the national hotel industry.