Sri Lanka Tourism is positioning the island as a premier wedding destination for Indian couples, showcasing its unique blend of natural beauty, heritage venues, and luxury hospitality. To strengthen this positioning, the tourism board recently hosted a multi-city luxury wedding showcase across India, connecting with top wedding planners, agents, and media professionals.

The showcases featured leading Sri Lankan hotels, resorts, heritage properties, and wedding service providers who highlighted the island’s ability to host both traditional Indian weddings and contemporary luxury celebrations. With offerings that range from pristine beaches and lush tea estates to colonial mansions and heritage forts, Sri Lanka presents an unmatched mix of settings for couples seeking memorable celebrations.

Speaking on the initiative, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau said:

“Sri Lanka is now open for destination weddings, and we invite India to come celebrate love with us. The overwhelming response across India reaffirmed our belief that Sri Lanka holds a special place in the hearts of Indian couples. From pristine beaches and tea garden retreats to colonial mansions and heritage forts, the island offers everything needed to create weddings that are truly unforgettable.”

Sri Lanka’s wedding appeal lies in its proximity to India, with short flight connections from major cities, simplified visa processes, and luxury packages designed to suit diverse budgets. The island’s world-class hospitality teams are also experienced in managing Indian traditions, ensuring authenticity while offering international standards of service.

Couples can choose from barefoot ceremonies on sun-kissed beaches, serene garden weddings, regal events in heritage forts, or exclusive resort celebrations. Adding to the charm are unique cultural touches such as traditional welcomes, VIP facilitation, police escorts, and logistical support for décor and production, ensuring seamless wedding experiences.

The showcases saw active participation from Sri Lankan luxury hotels, resorts, and destination management companies, alongside India’s top wedding planners. This collaboration reflects the growing opportunities in cross-border wedding tourism and Sri Lanka’s readiness to meet the rising demand for boutique and intimate celebrations among Indian couples.

By blending affordability, cultural richness, and luxury, Sri Lanka Tourism is working to establish the island as a preferred hub for Indian couples seeking tailor-made destination weddings.

Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) has reported strong growth in Indian visitor arrivals, with numbers rising by 22.01% between January and May 2025. Building on this momentum, TTA has intensified its India engagement through recent trade and educational seminars in Kochi and Kolkata.

The events, held in partnership with Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, aimed to strengthen Taiwan’s positioning as a destination for high-end leisure, FIT, and MICE travellers. In Kochi, TTA hosted its first-ever trade seminar in the city, attended by around 30 leading travel agents and tour operators. The session highlighted Taiwan’s diverse tourism offerings, with special focus on MICE opportunities, supported by Taiwanese destination management companies Top Holidays and Apple Travel Services.

In Kolkata, TTA organised its first major post-pandemic roadshow in eastern India, supported by Thai Airways. With around 50 agents in attendance, the session showcased Taiwan’s potential as a leisure and corporate travel hub. West Bengal, being one of India’s strongest outbound markets, was identified as a key region for partnership building and market expansion.

“India is a very diverse market and there are tremendous opportunities to exploit across the country. The two events were strategic extensions of our engagement programme in India over the last year and a half. Kochi gave us the opportunity to penetrate South India, whereas Kolkata was our first post-pandemic push into East India, particularly West Bengal,” said Paul Shih, Director, TTA Singapore Office.

Since its return to India in January 2024, Taiwan has achieved impressive post-pandemic growth, with arrivals rising 20.81% in 2024 and continuing the trend with over 22% growth in early 2025. Shih added that TTA is committed to a long-term strategy of positioning Taiwan as a premier destination for HNI, FIT, incentive, and luxury corporate travellers through stronger collaborations with airlines and travel agencies.

As part of its broader plans, TTA is also working on introducing new tourism products, including golf tourism, to appeal to the evolving preferences of Indian travellers. With strategic trade activations across multiple regions, Taiwan aims to accelerate growth in visitor arrivals and build deeper, long-lasting partnerships in the Indian market.

Kathmandu witnessed a devastating blow to its hospitality sector as Hilton Kathmandu, the city’s tallest hotel, was destroyed by fire amid violent protests against alleged corruption and social media restrictions. Demonstrators set fire to the hotel during escalating clashes, leaving its glass façade a charred skeleton against the city skyline.

The protests also targeted government buildings and the residences of political leaders, spreading chaos across Kathmandu. Hilton Kathmandu’s destruction is particularly significant as it symbolized Nepal’s aspirations to elevate its hospitality industry to international standards.

Constructed by the Shanker Group, the hotel broke ground in 2016 and officially opened in July 2024 after several delays. Its modern design featured vertical glass fins inspired by Buddhist prayer flags that shifted hues with light, offering world-class amenities including restaurants, a spa, event spaces, and a rooftop bar overlooking the Himalayas.

With an investment of approximately ₹8 billion, Hilton housed 176 rooms and multiple banquet halls. Designed as an “immediate occupancy” building, it incorporated seismic safeguards crucial for Nepal’s earthquake-prone terrain. The fire not only destroys a physical landmark but also represents a major setback for Kathmandu’s tourism and luxury hospitality ambitions.