Megamoons are being touted as one of the next big things in travel, and close-to-home demand for these longer honeymoons, which often include multiple destinations, are being noted by retail agents.
Celeste Ryall, customer engagement director for House of Travel, says all generations, especially Millennials and Gen Xers, are rethinking the traditional ways to celebrate life’s milestones.
“Rather than splashing hard-earned cash on big, elaborate weddings that they often can’t fully enjoy, a growing number of Kiwis are choosing to invest in bucket-list travel that creates lifelong memories.”
In fact, Lisa Glassey from House of Travel Johnsonville, says many clients are now investing more in their honeymoons than their weddings, choosing to tick-off their bucket-list. “Recently my customers, in their late 40s, decided on a small wedding so they could afford a Mega-Moon in Italy,” she says. “They set up a travel registry with us, and their guests contributed into the travel account, which worked perfectly for them.”
And Glassey is not alone, House of Travel Lower Hutt’s Kelly-Ann Patterson says the days of quick getaways to the Pacific Islands are gone. “Now, our customers want to tick off their bucket lists, travel further, stay longer, and create lifelong memories,” she says. “Customers are heading to dream destinations like Europe and the USA, with many justifying the expense because it’s a Mega-Moon.”
Chloe McKellar from House of Travel Wellington CBD says she has recently booked several three-to-four-week Mega-Moons, including round-the-world trips and European getaways.“People don’t want the stress or family politics to contend with, and want their money to enrich their lives and make memories rather than throw a party for others,” sums up Patterson.
. . . Planning Tips
With more Kiwis looking to go all out on their honeymoon, rather than their wedding, one romance travel specialist is sharing her top honeymoon tips.
Wedding Travel’s Anita Gatley, a member of Envoyage, urges agents to ensure clients think of the honeymoon as part of the wedding budget rather than an afterthought, otherwise the longer trips can tend to become short haul.
“Weddings are generally booked 12-18 months in advance so couples should be encouraged to book, or at least deposit, their travel that far in advance, too.”
She points to Asia as her option of choice, recommending a destination wedding in areas such as Thailand or Bali, where clients can have a wedding celebration and honeymoon all wrapped into one.
“Airfares are expensive, so having a longer trip makes more sense to try and see more of the world on one ticket.”
Asia is still relatively cheap for a wedding, she adds, compared to New Zealand, and it lends itself to exploring other areas because of the close proximity to other countries.
As to what destinations are favoured, Gatley notes that Europe was pre-Covid and seems to be coming back, with a cruise a desirable choice for seven-14 days with a European stopover such as Paris or London pre/post. “Dubai is still a popular stopover, as is Asia.”
