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

by Madelyn Miller, the travellady