New Delhi: India’s latest economic growth number has come with an unusual travel message. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to rethink non-essential
spending overseas, including leisure trips and destination weddings, as the country recorded 7.8 per cent real GDP growth in the April-June quarter of 2026-27.
In a video message on Tuesday, Modi congratulated Indians on the growth figure and called for greater emphasis on Swadeshi, Vocal for Local and self-reliance. He specifically appealed to citizens to avoid foreign sightseeing trips and weddings abroad, and to buy gold only when necessary.
The Prime Minister’s comments came a day after the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released its Q1 GDP estimates. Real GDP grew 7.8 per cent year-on-year, compared with 6.9 per cent in Q1 of FY26. Real GVA grew 8.2 per cent, while nominal GDP rose 10.3 per cent. Private final consumption expenditure increased 7.1 per cent, while gross fixed capital formation grew 11.9 per cent.
The growth also beat expectations. A Reuters poll had estimated 7.1 per cent growth for the quarter, while the Reserve Bank of India had earlier projected 7 per cent. Manufacturing grew 9.2 per cent, while financial, real estate, IT and professional services recorded 12.1 per cent growth.
This is not the first time Modi has made a case for celebrating weddings within the country. In May, he urged Indians to reconsider overseas destination weddings, arguing that the trend results in foreign-exchange outflows and pointing to India’s own range of wedding and holiday destinations. He also suggested that Ekta Nagar and the Statue of Unity in Gujarat could be developed further as wedding destinations.
For couples who want the destination-wedding experience without leaving India, the choices are extensive.
7 Indian destinations for a dream wedding
1. Udaipur, Rajasthan – for a royal celebration
With its lakes, palaces and heritage properties, Udaipur remains one of India’s most recognisable luxury wedding destinations. It works particularly well for couples looking for a palace setting and a multi-day celebration built around traditional Rajasthani hospitality.
2. Jaipur, Rajasthan – for heritage and grandeur
Jaipur offers forts, palaces, heritage architecture and luxury hotels, making it a natural choice for large, elaborate weddings. The city’s historic backdrop also offers plenty of options for pre-wedding celebrations and photography.
3. Goa – for a beach wedding
For couples drawn to overseas beach destinations, Goa offers a domestic alternative with its coastline, resorts and established tourism infrastructure. A wedding can easily be combined with a holiday-style itinerary for guests.
4. Kerala – for backwaters and greenery
Kerala brings a completely different setting, with backwaters, beaches, hill stations and lush landscapes. It is particularly suited to couples seeking a more relaxed celebration, while giving guests plenty to explore before and after the wedding.
5. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – for a scenic celebration
Set along the Ganga and surrounded by the Himalayan foothills, Rishikesh offers a distinctive backdrop for couples looking beyond conventional palace and beach weddings. Its spiritual and natural setting can also lend itself to smaller, more intimate ceremonies.
6. Coorg, Karnataka – for an intimate getaway
Known for coffee plantations, forests and a cooler climate, Coorg can work for couples seeking a quieter destination wedding. The setting is particularly suited to smaller celebrations where the wedding and guest experience can be combined into a weekend getaway.
7. Ekta Nagar, Gujarat – for a newer destination
The Statue of Unity and surrounding Ekta Nagar have emerged as a major tourism development in Gujarat. Modi himself has identified the area as a potential wedding destination, making it one of the more unusual options for couples seeking something different.
Modi’s latest appeal therefore goes beyond a simple “don’t travel abroad” message. It puts the spotlight on an increasingly competitive question for India’s travel and hospitality industry: if Indians are willing to spend big on destination weddings, can more of that spending stay within India? With destinations ranging from Udaipur and Goa to Kerala and Gujarat, the answer may already be taking shape.
