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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 have authored over 20
guidebooks and also edit the FREE
Lovetripper.com , a romantic travel magazine featuring worldwide
destinations.
Copyright Paris Permenter and John Bigley
Check out
The Honeymoon Workbook, an
 ebook
filled with helpful checklists, must-ask questions, and
everything you need to organize your honeymoon planning!
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