By Shweta Thakur, IANS
New Delhi : Indians now have the opportunity to host weddings amidst exotic birds, give their guests an underwater treat or take them on an aerial ride of Singapore. The city-state's tourism board is trying to entice all young Indians to get married there.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is offering Indian bachelors the opportunity to get married at the famed Jurong Bird Park, Orchid Garden, Sentosa Island or simply at a luxury hotel.
"Families have been our biggest customers from India but now we are targeting the youth by offering Singapore as a wedding destination," said Kenneth Lim, the STB area director (northern and eastern India).
"A lot of Indian couples come to our country for honeymoon and now they have an opportunity to get married in a natural environment amid birds, flowers and beaches," Lim told IANS.
Jurong Bird Park is one of the most impressive sanctuaries of the world and houses thousands of birds of about 600 species.
The Underwater World, arguably Asia's largest tropical aquarium showcases nearly 250 marine species. Guests can also enjoy an aerial ride in a cable car.
"In 2006, around 650,000 Indians visited Singapore, which is a 12 percent growth over the previous year. Our country is multicultural like India and affordable too. Hence, Indians will certainly feel at home while hosting weddings," Lim added.
People of Indian origin constitute nine percent of Singapore's population of four million, he said. Most of them are Tamils.
STB has now partnered with three Indian wedding planners – Shaddi Online, Indian Wedding Planners and Ferns N Petals – to offer destination weddings in Singapore.
Shaadi online authorities said they have packages starting from Rs.35,000 per person for at least three days. The package will include a two-way ticket, venue, food, accommodation and sightseeing.
"The package depends on the number of people going to attend the wedding. We expect to keep the package for a person starting at Rs.35,000 and it will vary according to the season and the kind of accommodation preferred by people," said Pragya Khanna, wedding planner, shaadi online.
R.K. Harjai, chief executive officer of Indian Wedding Planners, said: "The room rent in Singapore varies between $65 and $98 per night but in India a similar accommodation costs over $295. Duty free shopping, Indian ambience and hospitable citizens are other attraction points."