WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS: Caribbean
late wedding bookings, particularly in Antigua and Barbados because of the straightforward legal requirements which can be sorted in a short time.” As well as the convenience, the ease of travelling between resorts and islands means couples can marry surrounded by family and friends in one place and then enjoy a private honeymoon without having to travel too far. But for honeymoons the Caribbean is a slightly harder sell. The region (excluding Mexico) didn’t even make Kuoni’s top 10 list of honeymoon destinations this year. Travel Counsellor Maria Foxwell said that when selling Caribbean honeymoons it can sometimes struggle on price compared to holidays in Asia, particularly destinations such as Vietnam. “I tend to suggest somewhere where there is a lot of added value, such as AMResorts. Its Endless Privileges packages can include things like room upgrades or special wine packages and those make the honeymoon really special,” she said.
Linda Bellis, a director at trade-only operator Lusso Travel, said: “Hotels are trying to be more creative with their offers by bundling them into more attractive packages which includes a combination of the customary offerings such as free nights and meal plan upgrades, but also other special value-added extras. Whilst many offers are released well in advance we are also seeing a growth in attractive last-minute offers as well as offers that span high- season dates.” Across the Caribbean there’s
certainly no shortage of novel places to tie the knot. For example, on Petit St Vincent alone jaw-droppingly beautiful locations include The Atlantic Pier; Conch Bay Gazebo, a secluded conch bay; and Telescope Hill, elevated above the island with great views across the ocean and reefs.
What’s new Accommodation: The former
Almond Casuarina Beach Resort in Barbados has been taken over by Couples Resorts and will be
rebranded as Couples Barbados from June. A US$3-million upgrade programme will include new décor, pool, spa, gym and piano bar. There’s also a host of booking incentives for agents, including vouchers. For this year Couples Resorts is offering a free One Love wedding
TIP
package when guests stay for six nights. The Flamboyant
Take a look…“Utilise the selling tools
Hotel in Grenada has launched underwater weddings for couples looking to tie the knot in a very unusual way. The Villas at Stonehaven in Tobago has relaunched its website with a new weddings page at stonehavenvillas. com/
tobago-weddings-en.html. It is now offering new wedding venues including poolside at the Clubhouse. There are plenty of wedding and
tourist boards offer. Videos and image galleries like those in the weddings section of the Turks and Caicos Islands website really bring weddings to life and offer great ideas for beach- style wedding dresses, flowers and table settings as well as invaluable local contacts” Emily Ashwell, Journalist
bride stays free for any honeymoon or wedding bookings made for a junior or deluxe junior suite. The wedding must have taken place within the last six months and the offer is valid until December 22. Bougainvillea Beach Resort in Barbados has new wedding brochures available which are downloadable from
escapemarketing.net. The new Canouan
Resort and Villas will open later this year on Canouan,
part of the St Vincent and the Grenadines island chain. The island should also open its new Argyle international airport this year. Operators: Caribtours has
honeymoon offers on the market, including an all-inclusive honeymoon at Half Moon in Jamaica. The Inn at English Harbour in Antigua has an offer thats sees the
launched LOVE, a weddings and honeymoons programme for couples looking to marry this year. The programme features ‘romantic hotels’ .
Beach weddings have an obvious appeal to sun-starved British couples!
www.sellinglonghaul.com • March 2013 23
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