New Delhi: India has the potential to become a premier global wedding destination, and its growing wedding and entertainment sectors can serve as powerful tools to empower the youth, said Ranjit Mehta, CEO of PHDCCI, in July. Speaking to IANS, Mehta emphasized that for India’s youth, entertainment has transitioned from being a luxury to an essential part of life.

He echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of promoting the Indian wedding industry as a vital expression of the nation’s rich cultural legacy. “As PM Modi rightly said, India can emerge as the top global wedding destination. With nearly 65 per cent of our population being young, this industry can be a powerful platform to uplift and empower them,” Mehta told IANS.

“This space enables young Indians to display their talent and create meaningful, sustainable careers,” he added. Mehta also highlighted the dramatic rise of India’s live entertainment industry, which has grown from a Rs 1,000 crore segment to more than Rs 12,000 crore today.

With its varied climates and deep-rooted traditions, India holds immense potential for developing into a global hotspot for destination weddings. To harness this opportunity, PHDCCI launched its first-ever summit focused on the rising entertainment economy — Fun-Tastic 2025. Held in the national capital, the summit showcased the vibrant worlds of live events, concerts, and wedding experiences.

India’s entertainment sector is a multi-billion-dollar domain, where live events — including weddings, concerts, theatre, and corporate gatherings — take center stage. This segment is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18 per cent, reaching Rs 14,300 crore by 2026.

Rajeev Jain, Chair of PHDCCI’s Entertainment Committee, told IANS, “With Fun-Tastic 2025, PHDCCI is also celebrating its 120th anniversary. The wedding industry alone is now valued at Rs 7.5 lakh crore, while the concert industry has hit Rs 13,000 crore.”

“Top global artists are eager to engage with India. Given this sector’s momentum, we foresee wedding tourism becoming a dominant industry within a decade — possibly even warranting a dedicated Wedding Ministry to manage weddings, concerts, and mega events,” Jain concluded.