FEATURE WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS
want to relax is falling whilst one in eight would like to do ‘something out of the ordinary’ according to Mintel. Combining adventure with pampering seems to be the way forward as couples are marrying later in life and are often already experienced travellers. Hence tour operators like Rainbow Tours (
rainbowtours.co.uk) launching honeymoon itineraries combining Colombia with beaches in Caribbean. The Bahamas Tourist Office was
so keen to show its diverse locations from lighthouses to 14th century cloisters that last month it married 16 UK couples (on May 16) at 16.00 hours across 16 islands. (See page 19)
What’s New
Following its research into how dissatisfied newlyweds can be with traditional wedding gifts, The Saint Lucia Tourist Board has created an online Wedding Gift Converter (www.
saintlucianow.co.uk/
weddinggifts) which reveals the cost of a range of
honeymoon experiences on Saint Lucia versus the price of a number of home and kitchen wares, favourites on UK wedding lists. For example, a couple could enjoy a helicopter tour of Saint Lucia for the same price as a Dualit Expressivo coffee machine (£170). Says Louis Lewis, Director of Tourism,
Saint Lucia Tourist Board: “Our research revealed an increasing trend in couples looking for unique and memorable gifts and experiences that will make their honeymoon time together really stand out. The memory of a sunset cruise or a whale watching trip in Saint Lucia will stay with you much longer than a pasta making machine!”
Tourism Talk DANIELLE COURTENAY
Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Orlando “Destination weddings
and honeymoons are extremely popular in Orlando due to our consistently warm, sunny weather and unique wedding locations such as the Harry P.
Facing page: tying the knot in the Bahamas (top) and Vero Beach (below). Right, a kiss from her king in Vegas and Elvis was there too
Leu Gardens, the Estate House at Cypress Grove and themed resorts. “Couples can exchange vows at one of
Walt Disney World’s wedding venues offering anything from a ride in Cinderella’s Coach to a dance with Mickey Mouse. In 2013, Orlando welcomes its first Four Seasons hotel on Walt Disney World property, which is sure to be a popular wedding venue. “Orlando is a tried and tested holiday location for Brits – couples know their guests will have a great time when they attend a wedding . We even have wedding planning companies specialising in helping British couples. To help agents, Visit Orlando recently introduced a Travel Professional website:
VisitOrlando.com/ trade. It also produces an Official Tour & Travel Reference Manual.”
CAROLINE LOEVNER Sales and Marketing Manager, Mauritius Tourism Promotion
Authority “The weddings and honeymoon market continues to thrive, with
the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) participating in the National Wedding & Honeymoon show at London’s Earls Court and Birmingham NEC this autumn.
“MTPA also plans to run a wedding-
focused Facebook campaign to bring the destination front of mind with potential honeymoon and wedding couples. MTPA will send targeted messages to Facebook users in the UK with an ‘engaged’ status, offering special offers and honeymoon packages to book their special romantic getaway. In terms of agent training, Mauritius ran its annual week-long trade road-show with Air Mauritius last month (May) and culminating in an event in London with some100 guests.”
From the Front Line PHIL RICHARDSON
Market Co-ordinator for the
Caribbean, Kuoni “Customers contact Kuoni wanting something out of the ordinary, yet traditional and memorable for their wedding abroad or
www.sellinglonghaul.com • June 2012 17
“Combining adventure with pampering seems to be the way forward as couples are marrying later in life”
honeymoon. We are certainly seeing more city break-style honeymoons with destinations such as Vegas and New York being very popular. We have spotted a trend for couples taking a mini-moon after their wedding and a maxi-moon later on. The use of our gift list is extremely popular. Kuoni’s honeymoons and weddings brochure comes out at the end of June.”
NEIL WALLACE Weddings Manager, Virgin Holidays “Weddings and
honeymoons have remained strong over the past 18 months and market
research suggests that overseas weddings will increase in the next two to three years. For us Las Vegas and Mauritius have done very well in 2012
and for 2013 Mexico is growing well due to the Virgin Atlantic direct flight. Another trend is that customers are booking basic wedding packages and then tailor-making them for their own requirements from scratch, rather than buying a set package.”
KATIE PARSONS Regional Product Manager, Hayes & Jarvis “The USA, mainly Las
Vegas and Florida have been
Selling Tip Some companies offer
free weddings for couples that book a stay in a certain room
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