One of the largest and most momentous religious gatherings globally, primarily associated with Hinduism, the Mahakumbh festival, set to take place early next year in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, along with India’s vibrant wedding tourism, will be showcased at the three-day World Travel Market (WTM) London, commencing Tuesday at Excel London in the United Kingdom. The idea is to attract Indian diaspora of nearly 1.9 million people in England which stands as the second largest source market for inbound tourism to India.
This year’s India pavilion will prominently showcase Wedding Tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and the Mahakumbh festival, as detailed by an official from the Union Tourism Ministry. “The Mahakumbh attracts millions of devotees, pilgrims, and tourists from across India and around the globe. It’s not uncommon for the gathering to surpass 50 million attendees during its peak moments, drawing a substantial number of Indians residing abroad as well,” the official noted.
A specially designed mock Mandapam, replicating the enchanting ambiance of an Indian wedding, has been crafted at the Indian pavilion at the Mart to engage visitors. The official emphasised that this initiative aims to illuminate India’s cultural diversity and the myriad immersive tourism experiences available. Additionally, the pavilion will feature India’s rich kaleidoscope of cultures, languages, and traditions, which contribute not only to its diverse tourism landscape but also to a spectrum of niche tourism experiences, such as spiritual and wellness, adventure, ecotourism, and gourmet explorations.
This focus aligns with India’s strategic objective to elevate inbound tourism and establish the nation as a premier global travel destination.
In 2023, a remarkable 9.5 million foreign tourists visited India, with 0.92 million visits from the UK, marking it as the third largest source market for inbound tourists.
Joining the Union Tourism Ministry are various stakeholders, including State Tourism Departments, tour operators, airlines, and public sector undertakings. States such as Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu will showcase their unique tourism offerings, alongside Goa, Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
The India pavilion was inaugurated by High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and Mugdha Sinha, Director General of the Union Ministry of Tourism, in the presence of various state tourism ministers.
The ‘Chalo India’ initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to engage the Indian diaspora in promoting India to their non-Indian friends. “The Ministry of Tourism has developed the Chalo India portal, enabling the diaspora to invite their friends to experience the splendor of Incredible India. This program holds particular significance in the UK, given its large Indian community, and is designed to enhance India’s status as a premier global tourist destination,” according to the official.
