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market focus Weddings & Honeymoons
noticed that some people have had to cancel Virgin Holidays recently launched its 2010 More couples are seeking something different
and rebook for the following year. However, Weddings brochure, which features 46 free for their wedding and honeymoon, such as a
we thought the situation would be worse in wedding packages across the Caribbean. beach ceremony in Kenya or trekking in Borneo
the recession. Figures are very similar to last In addition to traditional hotel celebrations,
year at the moment and bookings are mixed, more unusual options on offer from Virgin
from low budget to top end where money is Holidays include Fairy Tale Weddings, Vow
no object. The recession does seem to be Renewals and Commitment Ceremonies with
affecting the number of guests going with the Disney. You can also book ceremonies with
couple, however.” flower-clad girls and warriors in Fiji, on game
reserves in South Africa, at New York’s
VOW FACTOR Empire State Building and Top of the Rock, or
Cyprus tops the list for British couples marry- with elephants present in Sri Lanka.
ing overseas, according to Mintel. Aphrodite’s Some of Kuoni’s more unusual locations
isle is closely followed by the Caribbean, include Sydney Harbour Bridge or Central
where an all-inclusive trip not only includes Park in New York over Christmas, and in the
Five top wedding
food and drink, but also the wedding. midst of a winter wonderland in Banff or
Funway Holidays has doubled the size of its Lake Louise in Canada’s Alberta province.
destinations
dedicated Sandals brochure for 2010, and all Kuoni product manager Mandy McGlade
clients booking a Concierge Service or Butler says: “You would think the arrangements for Virgin Holidays
Service Suite get their wedding free. Lesley a wedding and honeymoon would be done Caribbean
Rollo, Hayes & Jarvis programme director, says: months in advance, but we have been book- Mauritius
“Sandals has been proving popular, undoubted- ing more last-minute weddings recently.” Las Vegas
ly driven by its great value two-for-one offers.” She adds that renewal of vows ceremonies New York
And Funway’s product and marketing are still popular in the Maldives. For next Florida
manager, Lee Burns, says: “The continuing year, the operator is considering expanding its
popularity of Caribbean all-inclusive resorts portfolio to include Kerala, Goa, New Zealand, Planet Holidays
is proof of what is selling best in these credit- Tahiti and Bora Bora. Paphos
crunch times. Clients want to know what they Africa is also becoming a popular option Protaras
are spending, before they leave home.” for many couples. The National Magazine Ayia Napa
Annabelle Marshall, sales and marketing Company’s Wedding Market Survey found Rhodes
manager for SuperClubs, adds: “Many couples 10% of all overseas weddings for British Santorini
now pay for their own wedding, so cost plays couples last year took place in South Africa.
a big part in their choice. Agents have seen an Somak marketing manager Louise Newton Cosmos Distant Dreams
increase in requests for weddings abroad.” says: “Many of our weddings are second- Mexico
Almond Resorts’ new Weddings in Paradise timers who want to do something a little Cyprus
package, which is available at all five proper- different, but overall, couples simply want to Lapland
ties in Barbados and St Lucia, offers clients a guarantee sunshine, which is impossible in Sri Lanka
free wedding package when booking a seven- the UK, even in our ‘summer’. East Africa is a Mauritius
night stay in a deluxe room. Meanwhile, year-round destination. Africa is booming
TTG Knowledge – September 2009
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