The Great Honeymoon Controversy
Edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
 Hawaii has consistently taken the top position for the most
popular honeymoon destinations. Although honeymoon destinations are definitely
changing, due to the resort industry, increasing income, maturing age of
couples, and other factors, Hawaii is still that ideal, romantic tropical
honeymoon chosen by many Americans. Why? No passport is needed, local language
and currency, great tropical weather year - round, both luxury and affordable
resorts abound, and to many it meets the definition of paradise. Destination
Weddings are very popular in Hawaii as well due to a highly developed support
network of wedding coordinators available at many resorts or as independent
consultants on the islands.
Contrary to Modern Bride’s recent release indicating that
Italy is the favorite destination for honeymoon couples, Honeymooner’s Review
Guide’s survey clearly shows that the Hawaiian Islands are still the destination
of choice for honeymoons.
WHERE YOU WANT TO GO ON YOUR HONEYMOON VS. WHERE TRAVEL AGENTS WANT TO SEND
YOU
 When asked why their survey showed Italy as # 10 and not
#1, Michelle McKenzie, Vice - President stated, “The study completed by Modern
Bride asks travel agents their “favorite honeymoon spots”, and we ask returning
honeymoon couples where they actually went, to rate their resort and to provide
a review that will help other couples planning their honeymoon. Therein lies the
difference. Travel agents might love to send couples to Italy, but that isn’t
where most couples are going.”
HOW HONEYMOONERS CHOOSE THEIR DESTINATIONS
 When reading the list of the most popular honeymoon
destinations, it is clear that many destinations make the list based on other
factors other than overall beauty and appeal. Many couples cannot afford a
luxury honeymoon in Bora Bora , but can afford a week stay on the less expensive
islands of the Dominican Republic or Jamaica. The top destinations also tend to
be locations fairly close to the states, which means less money in airfare and a
shorter flight after the wedding is over.
Top Ten Destinations List of 2007 based upon where
honeymoon couples vacationed are as follows: 1. Hawaiian Islands 2. Mexico 3.
Jamaica 4. St. Lucia 5. Bahamas 6. Dominican Republic 7. French Polynesia
8. Fiji 9. Antigua 10. Italy
SPEAK UP AND HELP OTHERS PLAN THEIR HONEYMOON
 Couples are welcome and encouraged to post their reviews
and complete a short survey to help other couples planning their destination
weddings and honeymoons by going to:
http://www.keysurvey.com/survey/75547/7c8c/
The above statistics are taken from the continuous
surveying of honeymoon couples performed by Honeymooner’s Review Guide. The
great majority of respondents were from the USA and others from Canada, the UK,
Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the United
Arab Emirates. Information on the company is available on its website,
http://www.honeymoonersreviewguide.com
But there is no contraversy about how to fly to Hawaii
BEST WAY TO GET TO HAWAII
 ATA
1-800-IFLYATA or 1-800-435-9282.
Click, Pick and Save Le$$
www.ata.com
BEST WAY TO GET BETWEEN ISLANDS
go! operates 60 flights a day from its Honolulu hub to
Lihue, Kahului, Kona, and Hilo.
www.iflygo.com
toll free 1-888-IFLYGO2.
 Madelyn Miller is a food and travel journalist who had a
terrible time on her honeymoon. But perhaps it was the choice of spouse, not the
destination (but that is another story). She is now very happily divorced.
Read Madelyn’s stories on
www.travellady.com,
www.carladynews.com,
www.chocolateatlas.conm,
www.cocktailatlas.com and
www.teaAtlas.com She also writes for
www.americanwinery.com Photos by Madelyn Miller, the
travellady |
