Udaipur: The Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) is actively working to establish Rajasthan’s cultural and historical heritage as the premier wedding destination. On July 15, a discussion session on ‘Wedding in India – Opportunity in Rajasthan’ was held in the Darbar Hall of Udaipur City Palace, under the joint aegis of FHTR and the Rajasthan Tourism Department. The program commenced with a warm welcome to H.H. Maharaj Kumar Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar.
During the session, experts discussed the promotion of tourism in India, with a particular focus on destination weddings in Rajasthan, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.

H.H. Maharaj Kumar Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar, the keynote speaker, emphasized the importance of preserving the heritage left by our ancestors. “Our culture is our strength, and we must collectively promote tourism. No single entity can achieve this alone, but united, we can make Rajasthan the top choice for tourism worldwide,” he stated. Highlighting Udaipur’s unique appeal, he added, “Our goal is for people to recognize Venice as the Udaipur of the West.”

Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Tourism Director, Tourism Department I am immensely proud to say that Udaipur’s grandeur in hosting weddings and its magnificent palaces have earned it a unique global identity, winning numerous accolades. This travel mart will serve as a milestone, uniting all essential elements under one roof to elevate and promote tourism to new heights.”

FHTR President Mr. Kuldeep Singh Chandela, who moderated the discussion, noted Udaipur’s significant contributions to tourism. “The influx of tourists has continually increased, boosting the number of hotels and the overall development of the tourism industry in Udaipur. Rajasthan is now being positioned as a new wedding destination, attracting both domestic and international visitors with its heritage, historical buildings, and the simplicity of the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative.”

Promoting Employment and Wildlife Tourism

The panel also discussed transforming Rajasthan’s villages, palaces, and royal properties into wedding destinations to boost rural tourism and local employment. The government’s vision includes conserving existing forests and creating new ones to enhance wildlife tourism.

Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) 2024

This discussion is part of the preparations for the 4th Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM), scheduled from September 13 to 15, 2024, at Birla Auditorium, Jaipur. The theme for this year is ‘Wedding, Incentive, Conference, and Event.’ RDTM 2024 will feature over 200 stalls showcasing more than 600 properties, attracting over 1300 buyers and more than 7000 visitors.

Other notable speakers included Mr. Parthip Tyagarajan, CEO of Wedding Sutra, Mr. Rituraj Khanna, CEO of Q Events Pvt Ltd, and Mr. Dushyant Periwal, Founder and CEO of Weddings by WDNE, Kuldeep Singh Chandela, President, FHTR, CA Virendra Singh Shekhawat, Secretary, FHTR, Mahendra Singh Rathore, President RATO, Tarun Kumar Bansal, President, HRAR, Ranvijay Singh, Secretary, HRAR.The session provided valuable insights and answers to the attendees’ queries.

For more information about RDTM 2024, please visit the FHTR website at https://fhtr.in/. RDTM provides a platform for stakeholders in the tourism sector to showcase products related to heritage, adventure activities, wildlife, pilgrimage areas, weddings, eco and village tourism, and more, under one roof, facilitating B2B meetings. The fourth edition aims to globally promote Rajasthan as the best destination for weddings, significantly boosting 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).