Survey: Sandals Couples Prefer To Use Travel Agents

THE PULSE: Wedding Website TheKnot.com finds that of couples who book honeymoons at Sandals resorts are twice as likely to use a travel agent to make their booking in comparison to couples who book any other type of honeymoon.

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WHY IT RATES: The survey results show the strong relationship Sandals maintains with travel agent professionals. More than half of the honeymooners that TheKnot.com tracked who booked Sandals vacations in 2013 used a travel agent to make the booking. Sandals continues to work closely with travel agent professionals. – Brian Major, TravelPulse Caribbean editor

Couples who choose Sandals Resorts for their honeymoon are twice as likely to use a travel agent, according to the leading online wedding website TheKnot.com 2013 Romance Travel Survey. 

The comprehensive study of 7,500 qualified members of The Knot Wedding Network, shows that half (53 percent) of all Sandals honeymoon couples book lodging through a travel agent versus 28 percent of total honeymooners. 

“These results demonstrate the integral role travel agents play in the continued success of Sandals Resorts in the honeymoon market, and why we will continue to invest in them with smart marketing tools, relevant education and opportunities to earn more,” says Gary Sadler, Senior Vice President of Sales for Unique Vacations, Inc., an affiliate of the worldwide representatives for Sandals Resorts.   

In addition, the study revealed that 70 percent of all couples surveyed honeymooned at a Sandals Resort in 2013 and by a margin of 21 percentage points (70 vs. 49 percent), these honeymooners reported that they seek more luxurious accommodations than they would normally book on a regular vacation.  In fact, Sandals newlyweds also like to splurge and book “extras” 87 percent of the time when compared to 65 percent of other honeymooners.

Off-site excursions through Island Routes Caribbean Adventures and luxurious treatments at the Red Lane Spa are some of the most popular add-ons.  Of Sandals newlyweds, 56 percent participate in excursions, versus 38 percent of total honeymooners, and 60 percent of Sandals honeymooners book spa treatments, compared to 35 percent of total honeymooners.

“We are delighted to see confirmed what we’ve known all along – honeymooners are choosing Sandals Resorts for the brand’s consistent innovation in luxury, service and extras that make each couples’ experience with the brand unique,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts.  According to Stewart, the bridal market – honeymooners as well as couples planning their destination wedding, is an area of continued growth for Sandals Resorts and the company keeps this market top of mind as it continues to evolve. 

“It all begins with the product, delivering an experience that surpasses expectations, from the spectacular suites we’ve introduced to the quality of our restaurants and award-winning service. Then it’s about making sure our partners are experts on that product.  Like our hotels, no two brides and grooms are the same, customization, care and matching couples with the right resort and romantic experience is key and that’s why travel agents will always be central to our success.”

In an ongoing effort to support and educate travel agents, Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts created the Sandals WeddingMoons Specialist Training program, giving agents the opportunity to become certified destination wedding and honeymoon specialists. Since the program began in 2012, more than 800 agents have been trained in the United States and Canada. 

Agents learn about the multitude of wedding options available to brides and grooms planning a destination wedding as well as hot new wedding trends including customization that allows agents to earn commission on every single aspect of the Sandals WeddingMoon experience. Most importantly, agents learn how to grow their businesses from the leaders in the destination wedding and honeymoon industry while sharing strategies and success tips with fellow agents. 

SOURCE: Sandals Resorts press release