ITB Berlin News 2019 - Preview Edition

TRAVEL PRODUCT
INNOVATIONS
GUIDE
SPECIAL FEATURE
HONEYMOONS
29
THE STATUS QUO
When talking about Honeymoons,
people used to primarily dream about
French Polynesia, the Seychelles,
the Maldives, Mauritius – all tranquil
places with white beaches and blue
water. In the past five years however,
this has been dramatically changing.
There are still couples are looking for
a timeout together on a remote beach,
but more and more couples are looking
for a unique experience. Normally, a
Honeymoon will be the most expensive
trip a couple may ever take in their life:
absolutely understandable, as this trip
should be something really special and
should be the first page of the story which
they will write together throughout the
rest of their lives. More and more couples
are thus looking to gain long lasting
memories that they can tell their kids
about one day.
Bora-Bora Pearl Beach resort
FACTS
& FIGURES
According to a tripsavvy survey
published in the USA this
January, 80% of Honeymooners
in the past five years used
social media to research their
destinations.
US$12bn
estimated value
of honeymoon
industry
8 days
average length
of a honeymoon
14%
average part of
total wedding
budget spent on
the honeymoon
3 KEY TRENDS TO LOOK FOR AT ITB BERLIN
© Beyond
© Rainforest Cruises
The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights,
shines above Bear Lake, Alaska
SAFARIS AND NATURE
On the top of the “new honeymoon ideas” list
is the safari: an experience about which both
sides are today increasingly enthusiastic. The
ladies always love the animals (especially the
baby lions) and the men love to be in the nature
and to explore. Furthermore, safari lodges are
a perfect place for romantic dinners while
having the last drink, and before going to bed,
the stars in the desert always shine brighter
than you will ever see it in a city. Travelling to
wilderness areas in other parts of the world is
also a great idea.
CRUISING
Honeymoon cruising is becoming increasingly
popular. The fact of unpacking once and
exploring a lot of different cities and harbours
can be very relaxing, and at the same time
cruise lines are welcoming honeymooners
and providing special surprises for them, like
a romantic dinner on a remote deck or even a
visit with the captain on the bridge, or dinner
with him or her. It’s important to study the
seasons and plot a course to ensure a holiday
is full of romance, free of stress and delivered
with lashings of “special”.
THE “BIG TOUR”
Exploring the world is a dream often heard
today from honeymooners. Not as before with
a backpack; the honeymoon should have a
luxury component. There are no specific
countries to point out in this case, as the
interests of the couples vary considerably. Asia
is always popular, and there also experiences
like staying and working for a couple of days
in a monastery, or on the other side it could be
a road trip in the USA which gives a feeling of
freedom. Some are even going to the Antarctic
to see the breaching of a whale, a slippery seal
or a huddled penguin.
THE
FUTURE
Why just aim for a summer holiday? What about
a luxury getaway in the Autumn, with the crunch
of the leaves underfoot and the romantic red and
gold of the turning leaves all around? Not only
that, the big crowds will have gone, making the
visit that more intimate! There are so many kinds
of perfect honeymoon, it is important to speak
with the couple, understand their needs and then
be creative enough to find the suitable experience
which is creating long lasting memories –
Honeymoons are often a great start to becoming
friends with the couple, ensuring they become
regular clients for the rest of their days.
Our thanks to Virtuoso Travel Advisor Guido Graf for his input
ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 27 th February 2019