Honeymoons with a difference

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Honeymoon preparations require research, investigation and offer a unique opportunity to enhance commissions.

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Agents should suggest business- or first-class travel to honeymooners.

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Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket is a healthy honeymoon option.

A honeymoon package should be an easy sell and a lucrative one if agents take time to ask questions and do their research, explains Caroline Tapken.

A honeymoon is that extra special trip of a lifetime and couples have high expectations of their vacation, so it is essential that travel consultants are well informed about the destinations they are selling - and the requirements of the couple they are selling to.

Often planned well ahead of the actual event, the honeymoon preparations require research, investigation and offer a unique opportunity to enhance commissions with suite reservations, business- or first-class travel and other little extras along the way.

Travel agents must also keep in mind who is travelling - a two-week beach honeymoon vacation might be enjoyed by Europeans but other nationalities may spend several weeks travelling the world, so a variety options should be offered and a well planned itinerary is key.

Arabian Travel News offers some hints and tips on how to sell honeymoons, maximise revenue, as well as information on current packages and destinations that most suit this extra special type of booking.

Tips to maximize revenue

Hints and tips to maximise revenue from honeymoons and enhance the experience:

• Up-sell to business- or first-class air travel.

• Advise the airline that your clients are honeymooners and request consideration for special treatment - if you have close contacts with the airline, give them a call to see what can be done to create a special experience.

• When booking the hotel or tour itinerary, advise the reservations agent that the clients are on their honeymoon and ask what can be done for them - or what upgrade can be recommended; special extras are often offered for honeymooners year-round - with bonuses during low seasons.

• Consider recommending a suite instead of a normal room - this is the holiday of a lifetime and the couple will be more willing to spend money on luxuries for this special occasion. Some hotels will also upgrade free of charge - or for a minimal extra payment.

• Why not ask the hotel to put a card with a basket of flowers, or bottle of something special in the room on the first night, paid for by the agency with your best wishes? You could earn the loyalty of the couple well beyond their honeymoon vacation.

Thailand

Thailand is a perennial favourite with Phuket and the island of Koh Samui among the most popular honeymoon destinations.

Fly THAI and combine a few nights in Bangkok for nightlife and culture with a beach destination for the ultimate in luxury.

Royal Orchid Holidays offers a wide variety of hotels and custom packages to suit all budgets, but consider staying with one chain to maximise cost savings and honeymoon extras - for example Amari Hotels & Resorts offers special honeymoon packages (www.amari.com) booked in conjunction with flights.

For the traditional paradise island dream, relaxing on secluded beaches, sharing underwater adventures and revelling in luxurious surroundings try Royal Orchid Holidays' Koh Samui Romantic Break; a choice of four-star hotels from AED 4040 ($1100) for three nights with optional extra nights.

The package Includes:

• Accommodation at luxury hotels such as the deluxe Amari Palm Reef

• American breakfast - served in-room on the first morning

• One candle light dinner for two

• Welcome fruit, flowers, drink and decorations

• Celebration cake

Six Senses: For a healthy romantic getaway recommend the new Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket, an Erawan property, where couples can be pampered on a relaxing private island while indulging in tasty spa cuisine that spares on calories but not on taste. The four spa areas - Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Thai - offer treatment rooms for couples while treatment packages called ‘Life Passages' can be tailored to the needs of newly weds.

Six Senses operates several properties across both Thailand and Vietnam. For more information visit www.sixsenses.com or contact Six Senses' Middle East representative, hospitality specialist C&K Global Marketing on +971 4 227 9586 or email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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