Hawaii is top choice for honeymooners, not Italy

Honeymoon Review Guide contends Hawaii is the world’s number destination for honeymooners, not Italy as claimed by Modern Bride. Hawaii may or may not take the top spot as the world's top honeymoon destination, but there is no doubt, it still ranks as the top honeymoon destination among US travelers, if a new survey by Honeymooners Review Guide is to be believed.

"Hawaii has consistently taken the top position for the most popular honeymoon destinations," Ron Haller, from Honeymooners Review Guide, said. "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."

Cited as the number one reason for the high in demand for Hawaii, according to Haller, is because US travelers are not required to have a passport to travel to the Hawaiian islands. Local language, year-round tropical weather, and, the availability of both luxury and affordable resorts are also cited as reasons for Hawaii's popularity in the honeymoon market. "To many it [Hawaii] meets the definition of paradise," Haller added.

Honeymooner's Review Guide claims that contrary to Modern Bride's recent release indicating that Italy is the favorite destination for honeymoon couples, its survey found that the Hawaiian Islands are still the destination of choice for honeymoons. "When asked why their survey showed Italy as number ten and number one," the guide's vice president, Michelle McKenzie, said.

She contends: "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."

Honeymooner's Review Guide's survey of honeymoon couples from the USA and others from Canada, the UK, Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates revealed that the top ten honeymoon destinations (in respective order) are Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, French Polynesia, Fiji, Antigua and Italy.

"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," McKenzie added. "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."

According to the Honeymooners Review Guide vice president, the top destinations also tend to be locations fairly close to the US, which means less money in airfare and a shorter flight after the wedding is over.

August 20, 2007   Posted in: Hawaii