Agent Selling Tips: Honeymoons

PATA Executive Committee member Gavin Dixon shares some insights on Honeymoons in the Pacific Asia region.

Honeymoons are big business! Couples often spend twice as much as they would on a standard holiday, more likely to upgrade flights, splurge on standout hotels, and weave in those once in a lifetime experiences. And with the ONS placing the average age of marriage at 34 - around six years older than in the 1990’s - today’s honeymooners have more life experience, clearer preferences, and often, bigger budgets.

So, what does this mean for us in the travel industry? The classic “drop and flop” beach escape isn’t going anywhere, but the shift toward older honeymooners mirrors a wider appetite for multi centre, experience rich travel. Honeymooners are seeking variety blending adventure, culture, indulgence, and yes - some well earned beach time too. Think Borneo’s wildlife paired with Langkawi’s wonderful beaches; Thailand’s cultural north combined with an intimate Andaman island; or Australia’s vibrant cities and gourmet hotspots combined with a paradise Fijian island, to name a few.

This is a prime opportunity to upsell with confidence. Discuss premium economy or business class options to get the honeymoon off to a flying start! When it comes to hotels, some Asian countries are renowned for affordable luxury so look at ocean view upgrades or even private pool villas, especially if you can take advantage of some of the great offers out there. Try to incorporate a ‘unique and boutique’ stay into the itinerary for something truly memorable - a jungle bubble in the Golden Triangle, or a treehouse villa on Koh Yao, perhaps.

Take time to learn about your client’s interests. If “five-star” is part of the brief, what does this mean to the happy couple? For some, it’s all about fine dining and polished service; for others, it’s the luxury of solitude and the sense of having a place to themselves. Private tours are a smart recommendation, allowing guides to tailor experiences and steer away from the crowds. In the same vein, elevate the normal: a group Great Barrier Reef trip becomes a helicopter ride to Heart Reef, a temple visit is enhanced to include a traditional blessing, and dinner is elevated into a private candle lit feast set directly on the beach.