Travel Agent - August 13, 2007 - (Page 34)

Destinations Honeymoon & Romance Honeymoon Survey Results Couples who head to Europe typically choose Italy BY DEBBIE STRONG dstrong@questex.com GRAND LIDO RESORTS & SPAS BREEZES RESORTS HEDONISM RESORTS STARFISH RESORT ROOMS RESORT lanning a dream honeymoon is not the easiest task for an agent. For many clients, it may be the most important vacation they’ll ever take, and so getting things exactly right—and exceeding expectations whenever possible—is a must. A July 2007 survey compiled by the Honeymooner’s Review Guide, a honeymoon planning web site, can help you get started; it pinpoints what couples are spending, where they’re going, and how they feel about the booking experience. While 75 percent of couples say they used either an agent or travel web site to book their trip, those who booked online often encountered problems when they arrived at their destination. One-third of couples surveyed had complaints about their hotel stay, with the most common problems being maintenance or check-in issues. Share this information with your newer clients who might not be sure whether or not to use your services. “Most times the honeymooners don’t really know what they want,” says Rebecca Hunt, a honeymoon and Hawaii expert who works for Protravel International and is based out of her home in Pasadena, CA. “They have been given P Hawaii remains the most popular honeymoon destination Honeymoons by the Numbers 75: percent of couples who select their hotel from either a travel agent or travel web site 8: the average length of stay of a honeymoon, in days $3,500: the cost of the average trip, including lodging and meals 21: percentage of couples who spent more than $5,000 on their trip Interested? Request #017. advice by family and friends, and it can be overwhelming. Besides just the airfare, hotel and car rental, I direct clients on where to dine and what to do.” Hunt visits Hawaii (which topped the survey as the most popular destination) at least twice a year, and has been doing so for 20 years. “There is no better way to sell,” she says. Visit www.honeymoonersguide.com. 34 TravelAgent August 13, 2007 http://www.superclubs.com/cashbonus http://www.superclubs.com/cashbonus http://www.honeymoonersguide.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - August 13, 2007

Contents Editor's Letter News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week Cover Story: Open Skies PACIFIC ASIA: New Zealand Tourism Update CARIBBEAN AND BAHAMAS: One&Only Ocean Club’s Slow Season Package MIDDLE EAST: Middle Eastern Airlines ALASKA: Cross-country Skiers Flock to Fairbanks CRUISES: Azamara Assails The Sea HONEYMOON AND ROMANCE: Honeymoon Survey Results Agent Profile Luxury Travel Expo Update Classified Marketplace Advertisers’ Information People & Places

Travel Agent - August 13, 2007

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