Srinagar, September 8, 2025 – The “Wed in Kashmir” initiative, unveiled at the Hindusthan 2025 convention at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, aims to position the Kashmir Valley as a premier global hub for destination weddings. Organized by the International Convention of Event Industry (ICEI), the initiative promotes Kashmir’s scenic beauty, unique climate, and hospitality infrastructure to drive economic growth and tourism.
Key Highlights of Destination Weddings in Kashmir
The “Wed in Kashmir” initiative, as showcased at Hindusthan 2025, includes the following features to establish the Valley as a top destination for luxury weddings:
- Scenic Venues: Kashmir’s breathtaking landscapes, including the Dal Lake, snow-capped mountains, lush gardens (like Shalimar and Nishat Bagh), and picturesque valleys such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam, provide stunning backdrops for weddings.
- Luxury Hospitality: World-class hotels, resorts, and heritage properties, such as those managed by prominent hotelier Mushtaq Chaya, offer premium venues and services tailored for large-scale wedding events.
- Cultural Integration: The initiative emphasizes incorporating Kashmiri traditions, cuisine, and handicrafts into wedding celebrations, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage.
- MICE Tourism: Support for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, with infrastructure like SKICC enabling grand wedding events and related activities.
- Wedding Expo: A dedicated “Wedding Kashmir” expo, inaugurated on September 9, 2025, featuring a mock wedding to demonstrate Kashmir’s potential as a wedding destination.
- Economic Impact: Targeting a share of India’s ₹90,000 crore wedding industry to create sustainable livelihoods, boost local businesses, and enhance tourism.
- Global Appeal: Marketing Kashmir as a “wedding city” to attract international and domestic wedding planners, with over 200 professionals attending Hindusthan 2025.
Prominent Kashmiri business tycoon Mushtaq Chaya hailed the initiative as a “turning point” for the Valley’s economy and tourism, emphasizing its unique climate and landscapes. ICEI President Rituraj Khanna and Chairman Gunjan Singla underscored the initiative’s role in promoting Kashmir globally while fostering economic and cultural growth.
