Online travel experts Travelmatch have released the results of a survey which indicates that newlyweds are dedicating up to four weeks of holiday to their honeymoons. These ‘honeymonths’ to exotic destinations are expected to become increasingly common.
A survey released by Travelmatch.co.uk, the online travel experts, indicates that many newlyweds are taking ‘honeymonths’: honeymoons to exotic destinations which last for four weeks or more. The report shows that 34% of couples take trips of such length following their nuptials; this figure stands in marked contrast to the average length of a honeymoon twenty years ago, which was a week and a half. Alex Francis of Travelmatch comments upon his company’s findings: “It’s great to see couples choosing to turn their honeymoon into the trip of a lifetime – allowing them to see the world and experience a bit of adventure before settling into married life.”
The survey, which involved 1,000 married adults, found further evidence pointing to the growing importance of honeymoons. Approximately 65% of respondents indicated that they had saved most of their annual holiday allotment for the trip, while 68% asked that wedding gifts involve funds to pay for travel arrangements in lieu of more traditional presents. 72% of respondents cited stress as a reason for taking longer vacations, and stated that they needed at least three weeks of vacation to recover from the strain of organising their big day.
Travelmatch.co.uk also found that couples were increasingly opting to travel to exotic locations, as destinations such as Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Thailand have seen a huge rise in honeymoon bookings over the past two years, with an average increase of 25%.
Francis believes this survey indicates the rise of a new phenomenon: ‘the honeymonth’. He comments: “What we are seeing is an entirely new conception of what honeymoons are all about. In the past people went away for a week or so to destinations which were convenient – now we are seeing couples highlight this is as one of the most important events of their lives. They are setting aside a much larger amount of time to travel, and heading further afield to some of the world’s most exciting places.”
Francis concludes that this trend is likely to continue in the future. He states: “Travel is much more available to couples now than it was in the past – we anticipate that they will take advantage of this and continue to plan extensive, magnificent ‘honeymonths’ that will allow them to relax, explore the world and celebrate their marriage.”
