Agents top chioice for honeymoon bookings

More than a third of honeymooners book their trip via a high street travel agent, a new poll shows.

Thirty eight per cent of couples booked their holiday at an agency, followed by a quarter (25%) who booked online, 23% who booked over the phone and 14% who left it to someone else to book it all for them.

The youngest age group surveyed, (18–24 year olds) are the most likely not to use an agent or the telephone and instead look to book online, with 48% preferring this option. 

Those aged 65+ and 35–44 year olds are the most likely to turn to agents for advice and support when booking their honeymoon. 

Research by MSC Cruises based on 1,033 married couples found that almost half (47%) spend more than £1,000 on their honeymoon. Fifteen per cent of honeymooners spend over £3,001, with one per cent splashing out over £10,000.

Those in Northern Ireland and Wales spend the least on their honeymoons – with over a third spending less than £1,000 on their precious holiday.  In contrast couples in central and south east England look to spend over £1,000.

Nearly half of honeymooners (45%) head to the beach, followed by a city break (23%), a combination of beach and activity (23%) and an activity holiday coming in at 10%. 

Of the 1,033 respondents, 83% of married couples would jump at the chance to relive their first holiday as a married couple and enjoy a second honeymoon. 

For second honeymooners combination holidays proved much more popular, with a third looking to enjoy both beach and an activity. More than half (56%) would elect to leave children at home to enjoy their second honeymoon as a couple – whilst a fifth would like to enjoy their honeymoon as a family. 

MSC Cruises UK managing director Claudia Baino said: “This research shows that there is a great opportunity for travel agents to take advantage of this niche market and to go after business; many customers are still looking for personal advice, something which professional travel consultants can offer in abundance.  

“Revenue opportunities are high with nearly half of respondents spending over £1,000, so creating a personalised honeymoon get away for newlyweds moves them away from the discounting arena.   

“It’s great chance for agents to be creative with the clients, and to lead couples into selecting the holiday of a lifetime – after all 55% are not looking for a traditional desert island honeymoon and many would not have thought of a cruise, which offers a wealth of varied experiences.”

by Phil Davies