Get Exotic for Your Honeymoon
PHOTO: A honeymooning couple in wedded bliss. (photo courtesy of Thinkstock)
The tour industry has been swept up in the wave of experiential travel.
Honeymoon and romance travel—a boom market in and of it self—is no exception.
It is a time of change in the tour industry, driven not by marketers but by consumers themselves. Couples are increasingly eschewing traditional Caribbean resort honeymoons for those in more exotic locales.
“We’re seeing increased demand by honeymooners for our Explorations line to places like South Africa,” said Amelia E. Sugerman, public relations manager at Collette.
She added that couples are opting to incorporate unique culinary experiences and immersion into local culture in such destinations as Spain: “Spain is a different type of honeymoon for sure – but what’s more romantic than paella-making there?”
“A current and increasingly popular trend among couples is to take four or five days off after the wedding and then a longer honeymoon later during the first year of marriage,” said Mary Barnett, a sales concierge for SITA. “Couples are choosing honeymoons that include some adventure, and they want the romance as well.”
Many couples today are opting for Asian destinations for their honeymoons. Barnett cited Thailand as a case in point.
“Its allure lies in its urban and culinary scene – and it’s an hour’s flight away from some of the planet’s most beautiful beaches,” she said. “Trang, Krabi and Phuket all provide snorkeling, scuba diving, sea kayaking and kite surfing in lovely surroundings with extensive spa facilities – it’s the ultimate in romance.”
Today’s honeymoons are anything but standard, noted Harry Dalgaard, president of Avanti Destinations. “Romance is in the eye of the beholder,” he said. “Honeymoons for FIT travelers are as individual as each couple.”
While Dalgaard said Avanti receives many requests for honeymoons in the romantic settings one may expect (i.e. Paris, the Amalfi Coast and Santorini, Greece), the company is also booking more honeymoons to such destinations as Sicily and northern Croatia, where there are fewer tourists and much in the way of “stunning scenery, charming seaside towns, hilltop villages, amazing food and wine, and a genuine authenticity [to] make them very appealing and romantic.”
READ MORE: Big Easy Weddings Made Easy
Avanti Destinations is also receiving honeymoon requests for Northern Europe and Iceland.
“Iceland is incredibly popular, particularly with millennials looking for the thrilling romance of adventure travel and something that’s ‘not your mother’s Europe,’” Dalgaard said. “Scotland has been very popular among honeymooners. Edinburgh is an unexpected favorite.”
He added, “Exotic destinations in Asia are popular for honeymoons and romance. Bagan in Myanmar has thousands of beautiful Buddhist temples spread across a lush plain on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. It’s ideal for the adventurous couple seeking spirituality and both natural and manmade beauty.”
And what could be more romantic than Indonesia’s Bali?
“You’re surrounded by beautiful rice paddy terraced hills, pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters,” said Dalgaard. “There’s so much culture in Ubud, and the Balinese people are so kind and friendly.”
For its part, African Travel said it is seeing increased demand for African honeymoons. The company features a Romance page on its website, showcasing such options as the 12-day “African Romance” package, which visits Mozambique and South Africa’s Cape Town and Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
And for your honeymoon clients in search of serious pampering, Insight Vacations offers the Luxury Gold series, complete with a “traveling concierge” and featuring immersive travel experiences, regional cuisine and luxury accommodations.
READ MORE: Africa’s Tourism Boom is Just Getting Started
LOVE IN LATIN AMERICA
Latin America is another destination that is growing in popularity with honeymoon couples.
“You might not think of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Buenos Aires as obvious honeymoon destinations – but think again,” said Harry Dalgaard, president of Avanti Destinations. “We’ve seen many honeymoon couples heading off to see the boobies, giant tortoises and other unique wildlife of the Galapagos on small cruises.”
Places like Buenos Aires are also gaining in popularity with honeymoon couples, he added.
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