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India’s Experience Economy Projected to Reach $59.2 Billion by 2030, Says EEMA

India’s entertainment and live events sector is projected to expand to $59.2 billion by 2030, increasing from its current valuation of $32.2 billion, according to Samit Garg, president of the Events and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA).

What Happened

Speaking at EEMAGINE, an industry conclave held in Chennai, EEMA President and E-Factor Experiences Limited MD and co-founder Samit Garg announced that the pan-India events sector has maintained a steady year-on-year growth rate of 16% to 18% over the past five years.

During the event, a comprehensive industry report titled ‘Socio-Economic Impact of the Indian Events and Experiences Industry’ was released. The study was prepared with support from KPMG, with consumer spending insights provided by Mastercard. The research integrated data from secondary government sources, industry bodies, academic studies, stakeholder discussions, primary surveys of organisers and visitors, and an analysis of 108 unique events attended by more than 18 lakh people.

Key Highlights

  • Growth Projections: The industry is anticipated to grow from $32.2 billion to $59.2 billion by 2030.
  • Sector-Wise Growth: Ticketed businesses are advancing at approximately 26%, sports events at 20% to 23%, and weddings at 18% to 20%.
  • Economic Transition: Garg noted that India is shifting from a service economy to an experience economy, where live events directly influence GDP, tourism, mass employment, and state branding.
  • Regulatory Bottlenecks: Around 80% of event organisers reported that securing event-related permissions remains difficult.
  • Policy Recommendations: The report advocates for a single-window regulatory clearance mechanism across central and state levels, social protection for contract and gig workers, sustained infrastructure investment in tier-2 and tier-3 locations, and clear national protocols for crowd safety and cancellation risk management.
  • Wider Impact: Using a Direct-Indirect-Induced (DII) assessment framework, the report highlights that events stimulate local economies by driving spending across hospitality, travel, logistics, retail, media, technology, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Why This Matters

The transition toward an experience-led economy positions live events as significant drivers of regional commerce and employment rather than merely secondary components of tourism and hospitality. With major contributions from states like Tamil Nadu, events generate concentrated economic activity that benefits varied supply chains, including transport, lodging, and small business networks. Addressing clearance delays and extending social security to gig workers could further determine the sustainability of this growth trajectory.

What to Watch Next

Key areas to watch include potential policy responses from central and state governments regarding single-window clearances, guidelines on crowd management, and measures to formalise social protection frameworks for the large base of gig and contract workers in the sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current and projected size of India’s experience economy?

According to EEMA, the sector is currently valued at $32.2 billion and is estimated to reach $59.2 billion by 2030.

Which segments within the industry are recording the highest growth?

Ticketed events lead growth at around 26%, followed by sports events at 20% to 23%, and the wedding sector at 18% to 20%.

What major operational challenges did the report identify?

The report revealed that around 80% of event organisers find obtaining necessary permissions and regulatory clearances to be difficult.

Source: EEMA announcements and the ‘Socio-Economic Impact of the Indian Events and Experiences Industry’ report presented at EEMAGINE, via The Hindu.