If a wedding is the most important day in a young couple’s life, then it stands to reason that a destination wedding will be the most important trip a couple will take. Or, for the traditional wedding, a honeymoon. As a home-based travel agent, you can help make memories of a lifetime for couples that come to you for guidance on both of these trips.
The destination wedding has become big business over the past few years, and savvy agents have gotten on board with the trend. This year, in particular, may turn out to be a very good year for the destination wedding as couples discover that they can actually make economic sense. Or, on the flip side, couples who have been scrimping and saving for their big day are not about to let the recession stop them and are looking for a grand, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Either way, the economy actually presents an opportunity for home-based agents who do destination weddings.
As for what they’re willing to spend, a March 2009 survey conducted by The Knot says that a majority of brides (60 percent) indicated that their wedding spending is proceeding according to plan—a credit to the determination of brides. Another 40 percent have reduced their wedding budgets by approximately 16 percent, which is still not bad in today’s economy. In other words, the money is still out there—it’s up to you to you’re your clients spend it wisely.
Destination weddings make up a $10 billion-plus industry—and growing. From beaches at sunset, to cruises, to hot-air balloons, there is a wedding out there for everybody. Your role is to find the one that is right for your client.
