FEATURE INDIAN OCEAN WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS
Offers for those getting married in the Indian Ocean are fantastic
For clients yet to book a honeymoon,
North Island, in the Seychelles, is offering an extra night free for every six paid-for nights, until March 31. Maritim Hotel Mauritius has undergone a £22 million renovation to upgrade it to a five-star venue, adding unique features to make it one of the island's most impressive wedding hotels. Medjumbe Private Island, in the
Seychelles, has a special offer, valid until December 22 2012, of 50 per cent off the bride’s accommodation as well as eight nights for the price of six. LUX* Island Resorts launched last
month (December) at three hotels on Mauritius, one in the Maldives and one on Ile de La Réunion. The new brand replaces Naïade Resorts.
Room Report Sofitel So Mauritius, an ‘eco chic’ resort, opened in December 2010 and is proving popular with honeymooners. Another option in Mauritius is the 20
Degres Sud Hotel, a five-star boutique property on the extreme north coast. Good four-star options include the
60-room La Palmeraie, set in Moroccan and Moorish architectural
Above: Four Seasons, Anahita in Mauritius; below: Sainte Anne Resort & Spa, Seychelles
surroundings and the peaceful Preskil Beach Resort, designed in typical Creole style, with three restaurants and excellent watersport facilities. Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita offers wedding packages and has specialists to customise the day. Options include weddings on a catamaran, a Champagne cruise or private honeymoon picnic on Ile aux Cerfs. For golf enthusiasts, suggest the
50-room, Tamarina Hotel, Beach, Golf & Spa on the western coast, which has a distinctly African feel. Beachcomber Hotels has eight
hotels in Mauritius plus the Sainte Anne Resort and Spa in Seychelles. In the Maldives, the erstwhile Taj Coral
Reef has had a stylish makeover and is now the Vivanta by Taj – Coral Reef, Maldives. It targets couples with facilities that include its own reef and shipwreck, a spa and 62 well-equipped villas. Following partial closure for
renovation, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has re-opened the smaller of its two islands. The renovation work has transformed the 28 Water Villas into ultra-luxurious contemporary over- retreats overlooking the ocean.
Tourism Talk CAROLINE LOEVNER, sales & marketing manager Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
“The weddings and honeymoons market continues to be a prime target. We ran an autumn campaign for agents with a specific romance-themed Mauritius micro-site where the trade could source information on weddings
and honeymoons. Over 1,000 agents entered a competition there to win their own romantic holiday. “At World Travel Market we
promoted luxury and romance and wedding-themed regional roadshows and training programmes will complement the existing Mauritius Online Training Programme. “For 2012 the tourist office is also planning a brand affinity with one of the floral or lingerie brands.”
STEPHANIE MEDOR, marketing executive, Seychelles Tourist Office “We do a lot of consumer wedding shows with tour operators, as well as advertising in W&H publications. “Our online training programme, Seychelles Superstar has significantly enhanced travel agents’ knowledge and helps agents maximise sales, including in the honeymoons and weddings markets, with details of accommodation ranging from five-star luxury resorts to a
charming Creole guest
house. Everything is covered, including how to get there,
where to stay, what to do and which tour operators.”
From the Frontline KRISTIE MCGOVERN Indian Ocean manager, Thomas Cook Signature “Mauritius is our top-seller
for weddings and has been for the past 30 January 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
INDIAN OCEAN WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS
Top Selling Tips...
• Give some food for thought… “For a special treat recommend the Chateau Mon Desir in Mauritius – a fine dining restaurant that offers exquisite cuisine in a beautiful colonial building, in the grounds of the Maritim hotel.
ZOE BETCHLEY Indian Ocean product manager Hayes and Jarvis
• Get out and about… “A great excursion while staying on Pralin is the Beautiful Praslinoise tour, where you get to discover two neighbouring islands, swim and snorkel in clear waters and have a barbecue on the beach”
SHEENA PATON Kuoni market manager, Indian Ocean
• Be discreet… “Contact the bride and groom separately and see if they would like to buy a surprise added extra for their other half, such as a massage for her or a sporty excursion for him”
LISA JAMES travel writer
Selling Tip Anse Lazio Beach, on Pralin Island, Seychelles, is regarded as one of the world's best
BEACHCOMBER HOTELS
FOUR SEASONS
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