Weddings &
Honeymoons in the Indian Ocean
KNOT WORK
Love, it seems, conquers
everything - even the recession.
The wedding and honeymoons market is holding
up well during the downturn, says Lisa James
T
he overseas weddings and honeymoons
market is holding up well and with the value of these bookings far higher than an average holiday an agent who understands this sector could well find themselves asking: ‘Recession? What recession?’ Travel Counsellor Donna Waddington,
from Cheshire, is one such. She says: “The honeymoon market is huge for me. Clients have the budget and want to spend on their dream holiday. I have just had my two biggest years ever.” Research by Mintel shows that while
the average cost of a UK wedding fell slightly last year, to just below £20,000, there is no evidence that those tying the knot abroad have cut spending. In 2010, the average wedding abroad
cost £6,585, although this is far higher than the average £2,500 it costs to get married in Mauritius. Since 2005, the number of overseas
Main image: Banyan Tree, Seychelles; Inset: Four Seasons Anahita, Mauritius
weddings has risen 27 per cent to over 57,000 in 2010 and the number of consumers saying they would rather get
married at home has fallen from 28 per cent in 2008 to
two per cent 2010.
Mintel has also identified a rise in the number of people who expect to marry for a second time, or renew their vows. The Indian Ocean – particularly
Mauritius and the Seychelles – are two traditionally popular wedding and honeymoons destinations that are offering some fantastically competitive deals. Of the two, operators say Mauritius is more popular, although its rival got a huge boost earlier this year when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
honeymooned on an North Island in the Seychelles.
Interest boomed, with
operators reporting an increase in bookings of 10-15 per cent.
Whether the recent announcement
that Air Seychelles is to axe its twice- weekly Heathrow service from early 2012 will curtail this increase remains to be seen.
www.sellinglonghaul.com • January 2012 29
What's New Thomas Cook Signature expects more wedding bookings for Coco de Mer in the Seychelles when the resort opens a new spa this year. The operator also features the new, ultra-modern five- star Long Beach in Mauritius. Hayes and Jarvis has added the all- villa Banyan Tree Seychelles as a wedding option in its Exclusive
brochure for
2012.To coincide with its 60-year anniversary, Beachcomber Tours is offering 60 per cent off half-board accommodation for a second guest at its flagship Mauritius
property, the Royal Palm, in June.
Selling Tip
If staying on Mahé, visit the capital, Victoria, for good shopping and local markets
BANYAN TREE SEYCHELLES
FOUR SEASONS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68