India’s Outbound Boom: Rajeev Sabharwal on Weddings & Travel Trends | PTM 2025

When the great and the good of the global tourism trade gather on the trade show floor of Pacific Asia Travel Mart 2025 (PTM 2025) there are always chance encounters that reveal much about the future shape of the industry. One such meeting was between David Barrett, host of the Trends series, and Rajeev Sabharwal, Chief Executive of Gaurav Travels and Elegant Weddings, a man who sits at the intersection of India’s outbound travel boom and the flourishing market for destination weddings.

The conversation on camera for Trends series illuminated not only the scale of India’s appetite for overseas travel, but also the shifting geography of where Indian tourists and families are choosing to spend their money.

Sabharwal, an energetic operator whose business spans both leisure and the increasingly lucrative wedding sector, was quick to emphasise the enduring strength of Thailand. “Thailand being number one destination for the Indians as of now,” he explained, citing ease of travel, direct flights, a visa-free policy and a range of infrastructure tailored to Indian tastes and budgets. For Indian weddings, he added, the calculation goes beyond the wedding ceremony itself. “Everybody who wants to do their wedding in Thailand will take into consideration that a lot of people will want to stay post and pre. So, it becomes even more attractive for family members and friends who are attending weddings. For them it becomes a kind of a holiday. An extended holiday.”

This dovetails neatly with official statistics. In 2024, Thailand welcomed a record 2.1 million Indian visitors, a 30 per cent rise on the previous year and well above pre-pandemic levels. India has emerged as Thailand’s third-largest source market, a transformation that owes much to visa reforms and expanded airline capacity. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has been explicit in targeting the Indian wedding market, recognising its capacity to generate substantial revenue per head and to spread benefits across multiple sectors, from airlines to caterers to luxury resorts.

For the Indian traveller, Thailand offers the combination of price and prestige. “Price drives the market basically. Indians love a bargain,” Sabharwal said, with characteristic candour. But the bargain hunter is no longer content with three-star accommodation. “Gone are the days where people used to want to stay in the three-star property and all. They need four-star, plus five-star even resorts which are uber luxury. So, people are willing to spend money for their convenience and for their stay now.” This transition from volume to value is precisely the sweet spot that Thai tourism officials want to occupy as they grow the Thai tourism industry.

Yet Sabharwal also cast his eye across the wider Asia-Pacific landscape. Vietnam, he noted, is “considered a new destination” with resorts in Phu Quoc and Danang gaining traction. The Philippines, he added, has appeal but lacks direct air connectivity, while Malaysia is fighting to reinvent itself beyond Kuala Lumpur and Genting. Even the Middle East is entering the fray, with Bahrain emerging as a surprising player. “I was the first one to get an Indian wedding into Bahrain in 2018,” Sabharwal said with a note of pride, citing Sofitel properties as a benchmark in food and service. Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah are investing heavily in luxury products to tempt the Indian market, while Turkey remains a perennial favourite for large-scale celebrations.

The sustainability agenda, much talked about in Western markets, is not yet a driving factor for Indian outbound travellers. “Some people are very particular about sustainability. But then in general, people are more bothered about firstly the ease of travel, the flight connectivity, the timing of the flight,” Sabharwal said. Convenience and value still trump conscience, though the direction of travel in the longer term may yet evolve as younger generations adopt new preferences.

Beyond his own business, Sabharwal also plays a leading role in OTOAI, the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India, an organisation with over 500 members that he helped to found. “We capture nearly 65% of the total outbound business which goes out of India,” he explained. OTOAI is expanding into tier two and tier three cities, running conventions and educational trips to connect Indian operators with new markets. For overseas hoteliers, airlines and destination management companies, associate membership provides a vital route to access this network. In an industry where relationships matter as much as brochures, that network is increasingly influential.

The implications are clear. As India’s middle class grows in wealth and confidence, its footprint on global travel patterns will only deepen. Thailand’s ability to attract more than two million Indian visitors in a single year is proof of what the right blend of policy, connectivity and product can achieve. But the competition is intensifying, from Vietnam’s beaches to Bahrain’s banqueting halls and shopping malls. For governments and operators alike, India is the market that cannot be overlooked.

At PTM 2025, amid the hum of deal-making and the exchange of business cards, Barrett’s exchange with Sabharwal provided a snapshot of this reality. The Indian traveller, whether attending a family wedding, seeking a beach break, or booking a luxury retreat, is reshaping the tourism economies of Asia and beyond. For those willing to listen, the message is clear: India is no longer an emerging market. It has emerged, and its choices will define the future of tourism.