SOURCE : NEW18 NEWS
Last Updated:May 17, 2025, 09:29 IST
Indian wedding travellers contribute over $140 million annually to Turkey’s tourism economy, and the impact of this shift is seismic.
In 2024, Turkey hosted 50 grand Indian weddings, each averaging $3 million, with a few reaching up to $8 million.
A diplomatic standoff triggered by India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, 2025, has sent shockwaves through Turkey‘s booming destination wedding industry. The backlash, fuelled by Turkey’s public support for Pakistan, has led to a widespread boycott by Indian wedding planners and families, threatening to unravel a segment that has been a cornerstone of luxury tourism.
“Indian wedding travellers contribute over $140 million annually to Turkey’s tourism economy, and the impact of this shift is seismic,” said Nikhil Mahajan, senior representative at Kestone Utsav, a prominent Indian wedding planning firm, according to a Financial Express report.
Recommended Stories
Turkey had become a coveted hotspot for Indian couples seeking opulence with affordability — from Istanbul’s palaces to Bodrum’s coastal retreats. In 2024 alone, Turkey hosted 50 grand Indian weddings, each averaging $3 million, with a few reaching up to $8 million. With celebrations often stretching across multiple days and involving around 500 guests, these weddings provided a substantial boost to local vendors and tourism-linked businesses.
Industry data shows that a typical Indian wedding package for 100 guests started at €350,000 ($385,000), far outstripping the cost of local Turkish weddings, which usually fall between $1,600 and $5,400. The Indian wedding market had grown nearly 300% in Turkey from just 13 weddings in 2018 to 50 in 2024, generating close to $150 million last year alone.
However, the political tensions that erupted in May 2025 have already caused the cancellation of 2,000 tourist bookings and placed 30 of the 50 scheduled Indian weddings for 2025 in jeopardy. With each wedding valued at about $3 million, Turkey could see up to $90 million in direct losses from cancellations.
Beyond the numbers, the implications run deep. Indian weddings employed hundreds of local service providers — from florists to event managers — and brought in celebrities and high-net-worth individuals who helped position Turkey as a global luxury destination. “These weddings featured celebrities and business elites, offering marketing value that money can’t buy,” Mahajan noted, as per the FE report.
The crisis hits during peak season, when 60 per cent of Indian weddings usually occur. Indian weddings accounted for 3 per cent of Turkey’s $3 billion wedding tourism revenue in 2024. The broader tourism sector, which earned $61.1 billion in 2024, could also feel the ripple effects.
In response, Indian families are shifting their gaze. “At UTSAV, we’re witnessing a change in sentiment, with families increasingly exploring alternative international locations like Italy and the UAE. Simultaneously, there’s a strong resurgence in demand for Indian destinations such as Udaipur, Jaipur, Goa, and Kerala, places that offer grandeur, accessibility, and cultural resonance,” Mahajan said.
This pivot isn’t just about geopolitics — it reflects evolving priorities among Indian couples. “Indian families are prioritising locations that balance sentiment, safety, and overall guest experience,” Mahajan explained. The fallout is reshaping the global destination wedding map, with Turkey potentially losing its sheen in a highly competitive market.
- First Published:
May 17, 2025, 09:29 IST
