By IANS,
Panaji : Long drawn marriage procedures in Goa are a hindrance to promoting the state as a wedding tourism destination, says a tourism official.
Speaking on the sidelines of the founding day of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), its president Francis Braganza told IANS that for wedding tourism to grow in Goa the marriage registration laws have to change.
“We want to promote wedding tourism. Unfortunately Goa’s marriage laws prevent weddings from taking place quickly,” Braganza told IANS.
Goa’s unique uniform civil code, prevalent since the days of Portuguese rule, mandates a formal fortnight’s “notice period”, after which a civil registrar is authorized to solemnise the wedding.
“Unless the laws are changed, the wedding tourism will not grow,” Braganza said.
Goa is one of the leading wedding tourism destinations in India. Its beaches and resorts have see celebrity marriages including those of tennis star Mahesh Bhupathy and Lara Dutta.
According to the Goa Tourism Development Corp (GTDC), Rs.4 lakh can fetch a great package which includes an all inclusive cocktail party, a wedding lunch, dinner besides transport in Goa, accommodation, cake, champagne and an array of fabulous venues.
“Wedding tourism is a new and upcoming segment. The potential is huge, so is the challenge. Smaller groups of 70-100 people make the event more exclusive,” GTDC general manager L.C. Kavlekar said.
The wedding tourism concept has also caught the imagination of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.