|
Honeymoon
Trends
by Paris
Permenter & John Bigley
While the
traditional vows endure, the ways to celebrate a marriage have
changed right along with the travel industry. Today's
honeymooner may be looking for value, adventure, or variety and
searching for a getaway that's as exotic as a stay in a private
European castle or nearby as a local bed-and-breakfast inn.
One
constant is that couples are willing to spend money on a
honeymoon - an average of $1,402 per couple compared to $421
spent annually on regular trips according to the Travel Industry
Association of America. Young couples, age 18 to 24 years, spend
the most on honeymoons, averaging $1,873. And as many as
one-third of all honeymooners spend over $2,500 for that
once-in-a-lifetime trip.
And while
the move is back toward the traditional wedding and honeymoon
associated with earlier generations, today's newlyweds are a far
cry from the travelers of earlier days. "They're looking more
for luxurious and romantic places, like the little
out-of-the-way small hotels and inns and private castles,"
points out Sylvie del Giudice, spokeswoman for Les Romantiques
Hotels. "They're ready for a different experience. It's the
experience of a lifetime. They are choosing to go further away
on their honeymoon to a different environment and that includes
everything: a different language, culture, and food."
Today's
couples are finding new ways to celebrate their union, creating
honeymoon trends that are being felt throughout the industry.
ALL-INCLUSIVE FUN
Started in
Jamaica but spread throughout the Caribbean and Mexico and into
some other regions as well, the all-inclusive vacation is
becoming ever more popular with honeymooners - and their
families. Their "one price pays all" policy makes the
all-inclusive trip more and more convenient for parents
purchasing a honeymoon package as a gift for newlyweds. Air,
transfers, meals, drinks, watersports, and even tips are
included in the tab at all-inclusive resorts.
GETTING
MARRIED ON YOUR HONEYMOON
Getting
married on your honeymoon is also an increasingly popular
concept in the Caribbean, where resort packages provide
everything from wedding cake to music. At some properties like
SuperClubs (http://www.superclubs.com),
guests can enjoy a free wedding, including the minister's fee
and marriage license.
MEXICO AND
CANADA
The
devaluation of Canada and Mexico's currencies mean an increase
in honeymoon business for financial reasons. Canada is also
gaining popularity as a honeymoon hotspot. Couples looking for a
white honeymoon find it in ski areas such as
Banff, Whistler, and Jasper, and those seeking big city culture
seek out cities like
Toronto,
Montreal, and Vancouver. The current strength of the American
dollar against the Canadian also makes our northern neighbor an
attractive honeymoon destination. "Canada is extremely popular
as a honeymoon destination," explains Judy Love Rondeau from the
office of the Canadian Consulate General in Dallas. "Your money
goes 40% further in
Canada.
Also, honeymooners like the cities of
Montreal and
Quebec City
because they are like going to Paris without going so far and
spending so much money."
CITY
DESTINATIONS
For some
couples, a chance to enjoy the romance of a big city and the
elegance of fine dining makes major cities a honeymoon
destination. A recent study by the American Society of Travel
Agents showed that the most popular city was Las Vegas. Orlando,
New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles were other top choices.
OVERSEAS
DESTINATIONS
While some
couples choose to vacation close to home, conserving both time
and money, others see a honeymoon as a chance for a
once-in-a-lifetime trip. For these travelers, it's the time for
a fantasy journey to destinations whose very names mean romance.
For these lucky honeymooners, the American Society of Travel
Agents has found that
Great Britain
is the top European destination, followed by
France
and Germany.
"We see
more and more honeymooners going to
Europe versus the
Caribbean," says Les Romantiques Hotels' Sylvie del Giudice. "People
are getting married older, and they're more interested in the
culture and the experience and the discovery of
Europe. Or
they want to go back to Europe. I deal a lot with people who
went to
Paris once and now want to show it to their spouse.
"They
usually combine romantic cities like Paris, Florence, or Rome
with a resort escape like the Riviera or Normandy or the Amalfi
coast of Italy so they have the best of both worlds," explains
del Giudice. "We have also noticed that honeymooners are
becoming more and more adventurous and discovering new areas."
Looking
for new European experiences is also bringing more honeymooners
to less traditional destinations. Destinations like Portugal,
Malta, and Turkey are gaining popularity.
ADVENTURE
HONEYMOONS
The
current trend toward adventure and eco-tourism vacations hasn't
overlooked the honeymoon industry. "We have seen a number of
newlyweds go on dude ranch vacations as well as our other trips
like the cattle drives," says Dave Wiggins, president of
Boulder, Colorado-based American Wilderness Experience. "It's
the kind of thing for couples who are looking for something
inspiring, something they can come back and say 'guess what we
did on our honeymoon.'"
Although
Wiggins has sold many honeymooners rugged adventure packages,
ranging from a 10-day safari in Alaska to sea kayaking in Baja
Mexico to river rafting along Idaho's Salmon River, many
honeymooners favor soft adventure. "The lodge-based vacations
tend to be more popular with honeymooners because they have a
bed and roof over their head and a hot shower," points out
Wiggins.
"We're
seeing more and more soft adventure travel so we have more
deluxe lodge-based options," points out Wiggins. Whether
honeymooners overnight in a mountain cabin or in a seaside tent,
however, he explains the popularity of adventure travel with
today's travelers. "At a resort there's a lot to pick and
choose, but you can find yourself being a spectator and watching
the action go around. On an adventure trip, you're smack dab in
the action. There's no sitting back and watching the action go
by in front of you - you are the action on an adventure tour."
Finding
that special quality is up to the individual honeymooners
themselves. With the myriad of choices and a selection of
atmosphere that ranges from white-knuckle adventure to
hedonistic laziness, there's something for everybody.
Husband
and wife team Paris Permenter and John Bigley edit the
award-winning
Lovetripper.com,
a romantic travel magazine and resource featuring honeymoons,
destination weddings, and romantic getaways worldwide.
 |
