Chennai: India’s experience economy is projected to nearly double from $32.2 billion in 2024 to $59.2 billion by 2029–30, growing at an annual rate of 16–18%, almost twice the global average, according to the Vision 2030 roadmap unveiled by the Events and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) ahead of its flagship convention, EEMAGINE 2026.
The roadmap outlines EEMA’s ambition to position India as the “Experience Capital of the World”, driven by growth in live events, destination weddings, business events, exhibitions and cultural tourism.
According to the association, India’s organised events industry currently contributes an estimated ₹3.5–4 lakh crore to the economy and supports more than one crore jobs, with both figures expected to nearly double over the next five to six years. Weddings remain the largest contributor, with the country’s overall wedding economy estimated at ₹125 lakh crore, while the live events segment alone accounts for a market exceeding ₹2 lakh crore and is expanding at around 15% annually.
India hosted more than 34,000 live concerts and shows in 2025, with Coldplay’s Ahmedabad concerts generating an estimated ₹641 crore in economic impact, underscoring the sector’s growing contribution to hospitality, aviation, logistics, retail, tourism and allied industries.
Despite accounting for nearly 18% of the world’s population, India contributes only 2–4% of the global experience economy, highlighting significant growth potential, the association said.
Vision 2030 aligns with the Government of India’s efforts to strengthen the sector, including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Live Events Development Cell, which has targeted the creation of 15–20 million additional jobs by 2030. EEMA also reiterated its support for initiatives such as the Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Wed in India’ campaign and called for streamlined approvals and single-window clearances to attract more international conventions, concerts and destination weddings.
Speaking at the launch, Samit Garg, President, EEMA, said: “Our mission is simple, to position India as the Experience Capital of the World. India has always been a land of stories, celebrations and unforgettable experiences. Today, those strengths have evolved into a powerful economic opportunity. The experience economy is no longer just about entertainment, it is driving tourism, entrepreneurship, employment and destination development. Despite representing nearly 18 per cent of the world’s population, India accounts for only 2–4 per cent of the global experience economy, highlighting the scale of opportunity before us.”
The association also announced that EEMAGINE 2026, scheduled to be held in Chennai from August 7 to 9, will feature the release of India’s first socio-economic impact report on the events industry, prepared in collaboration with KPMG and Mastercard.
Explaining the choice of Chennai as the host city, Vinod Gopal, Vice President – South, EEMA, said, “Hosting EEMAGINE in Chennai for the first time is an important milestone for the region’s events ecosystem. Tamil Nadu has the infrastructure, creative talent and cultural depth to host world-class events. By bringing over 800 event professionals, industry leaders and decision-makers to the city, we hope to showcase Chennai’s capabilities, foster new collaborations and create long-term opportunities for local businesses and event professionals.”
The convention is expected to generate substantial economic activity for Chennai through hospitality, tourism, transport, food and beverage, and production services, further demonstrating the multiplier effect of the events industry on local economies.
Highlighting the focus of this year’s convention, Siddharth Ganeriwala, Founding Member, EEMA, said, “EEMAGINE 2026 has been curated as a platform where industry leaders, policymakers and global experts can collectively shape the future of India’s experience economy. The convention will focus on business growth, policy, technology, AI, sustainability, talent development and global best practices, while enabling meaningful dialogue on how the industry can scale responsibly and contribute more significantly to India’s economic growth.”
Now in its 18th edition, EEMAGINE 2026 is expected to bring together more than 800 policymakers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and international experts to discuss the future of India’s experience economy across live entertainment, MICE, destination weddings, sustainability and technology.
