FEATURE THE CARIBBEAN: WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS
Jumby Bay Resort in Antigua
offers brides the chance to ‘Trash the Dress’, a trend that has caught on with some couples. Photographer Vanessa Hall captures newlyweds jumping into the sea, rolling in the sand and generally having fun in full wedding gear. Couples Resorts has introduced additional wedding spa packages in its properties for both the bride and groom.
TOURISM TALK PETRA ROACH VICE-PRESIDENT BARBADOS TOURISM AUTHORITY UK
"Barbados is a constant favourite for nearly-weds and newlyweds and we have made it even more
enticing with our 'Bride Goes Free' offer in which any bride and groom bringing a wedding party of 10 or more will receive the bride's flight and accommodation completely free. Barbados hosts approximately 1500 overseas weddings (by non-nationals) a year and even in the recession the desire for a memorable and luxurious honeymoon has not diminished: the rise in honeymooners in 2010 was around 4%. “The BTA is currently updating its
ebrochure (
www.barbadosromance. org) with new packages, hotels and offers."
BARBARA MERCURY UK ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES TOURISM OFFICE
“St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) remains a popular destination for
weddings and honeymoons thanks to its many exclusive, yet authentic, honeymoon retreats – such as the private islands
TOP SELLING TIPS...
There’s plenty of opportunity to become a Caribbean wedding specialist with online training and roadshows from the CTO and individual tourist boards
Advise couples to avoid
the heat of the midday sun for their ceremony and say their vows as the sun sets; it is more comfortable and flattering in photos
Make full use of in-house
wedding co-ordinators – they are usually very experienced with all the necessary contacts to meet your clients' wishes
Although ‘free’ weddings
are an attraction, check just how many weddings those resorts are holding per day
From The Front Line
HAYAT BOURNER WEDDINGS SUPERVISOR AT VIRGIN HOLIDAYS “Sandals Wedding Packages – Styled by Martha Stewart are selling well.
“New for 2011, as an early wedding present every ‘Deluxe’ wedding package now includes a new Virgin Holidays wedding carriage box. The box is big enough to store that all-important dress, yet small enough to fit into the overhead locker on the aircraft, giving you the assurance it remains with you throughout your journey. In addition, all Deluxe wedding packages include complimentary entry into a UK airport lounge for the bride and groom so you can relax in style before jetting away.”
SARAH JACKSON CARIBBEAN MARKET MANAGER, KUONI “For the Caribbean our biggest wedding destinations are Barbados and Saint
Lucia with Saint Lucia topping the list with a number of hotels offering free weddings. Rendezvous, an intimate couples hotel is the best seller closely followed by Jalousie Plantation – which has re-launched its Wings of Love romance package which includes activities that encompass some of the island’s most famous attractions and is ‘perfect for those with love in their hearts and adventure in their souls’ - with many other hotels across the island offering a variety of wedding packages. Blue Waters Antigua is a personal favourite offering one of the most intimate wedding locations on the island.
“Honeymoon top destinations include
St Lucia, Barbados and Antigua. A number of our hotels have fantastic offers including free room upgrades at the Rendezvous in St Lucia, free catamaran excursions at the Verandah in Antigua and a champagne breakfast at the Colony Club in Barbados.”
KATIE PARSONS CARIBBEAN PRODUCT MANAGER, HAYES & JARVIS “Sandals continues to sell extremely well and is popular because of the high-quality packages
offered and the fact that weddings are complimentary. On Antigua Jolly Beach continues to do well as it is very competitively priced and the wedding coordinator at this destination is renowned for her organisation and helpfulness. On St Lucia Rendezvous is popular with the couples-only market because of its quieter and more intimate atmosphere. Almond Resorts on Barbados and St Lucia are ideal for large groups attending wedding ceremonies and are very flexible because some are designed for family weddings, others for adults only.”
JENNY JACKSON PERSONAL TRAVEL ADVISOR, “I have found the standards of service by the wedding specialists vary tremendously.
Generally I use the smaller, more bespoke/specialist tour operators and the experience is far more efficient as both they and the in-resort wedding co-ordinators are very helpful and take a genuine interest.”
38 March 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
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