The demand for bespoke travel experiences like mini-moons and early-moons is on the rise among married people
Today, travelling with your partner is no longer a means to escape from the daily humdrum of your life. It’s a way to rediscover yourself by trying out novel experiences and setting new relationship goals. No wonder, this has given rise to terms such as a mini-moon where couples take a scaled-down holiday after the ‘I dos’ in order to save up for their big getaway or an early moon, which is a pre-wedding holiday.
HONEYMOON IS NO LONGER THE ONLY BIG EVENT
Rajeev Kale, president and Country Head, Thomas Cook (India), reveals that honeymoon has become just another trip in a list of multiple travel experiences that seem to cater to different stages of a couple’s relationship. He adds, “For India’s new-age couples, the honeymoon is no longer the only big event. We have seen an increasing demand of over 35 per cent for travel requests that coincide with multiple occasions like weddingmoon, honeymoon and buddymoon, etc. In fact, mini-moons and early moons are fast emerging trends among India’s new-age travellers. Activities that dominate the choice of getaways are: party zones; wellness and spa; adventure sports (such as skydiving or scuba diving); culinary and heritage trails along with carnival and concerts.”
Rajeev adds that sun-sea-sand island destinations are high on the bucket lists of couples and favourites include short hauls like Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Hawaii, Seychelles, the Bahamas and Korea’s Jeju Island that’s a huge hit with the HNI-UHNI (high-net-worth individuals — ultra-high-net-worth individuals) set. Cruises are also seeing strong growth among the couples segment with the USP being an all-inclusive, laid-back vacation with all meals and entertainment on the house.
GLAMPING IS THE NEW CAMPING FOR COUPLES
While backpacking in the wild appeals to a lot of duos, they are also trying to elevate that experience with a little comfort and style. Daniel D’souza, head sales, India and NRI Markets, SOTC Travel shares, “People in general, including couples, are taking multiple short breaks and are keen to explore new destinations. Glamping, mini-moons and bleisure (business leisure) activities are a clear hit with clientele who are looking for exotic bespoke experiences.” Some of the popular destinations for glamping in India are Jaisalmer, Rann of Kutch and Ladakh amongst others, while mini-moons are the latest travel experience in honeymoon travel. “South Pacific Islands (Fiji, Tahiti, Bora Bora), Maldives, New Zealand, and, Mauritius continue to be favourites for honeymoon destinations. Fresh destinations emerging include Seychelles and Vietnam,” adds Daniel.
DINE AT A MICHELIN-STAR RESTAURANT
Rajeev goes on to reveal that travel junkies are looking at activities like bungee jumping in South Africa, kayaking in Abu Dhabi’s mangroves, scuba diving in the Andamans, the world’s longest zip-lining in Ras Al Khaimah or black water rafting in New Zealand, sandboarding/dune bashing in Dubai, Vespa scooter tours, clubbing at the world’s top party capitals, Croatia’s Hvar, Ibiza or Montreal, segway tours and horse trails; and, of course, shopping! He adds, “For our luxury segment, we have created personalised itineraries based on people’s unique interests like cooking classes with a top chef, dining at a Michelin-star restaurant, retail therapy/fashion show at top end couture houses, and decadent spa-wellness programmes.”
BRUSH UP ON YOUR MILLENNIAL COUPLE LINGO
MINI-MOON
A scaled-down holiday after the ‘I dos’. Here, the couple is saving up for their big getaway and a longer break.
EARLY MOON
A pre-wedding holiday.
WEDDINGMOON
A wedding and honeymoon wrapped into one.
GLAMPING
An expensive camping experience.
BLEISURE TRAVEL
Mixing business hours with vacation time. It now includes the family or a special one. The top three most popular bleisure activities are sightseeing, dining, and cultivating activities, because the top desire of the bleisure traveller is to see the world and gain new cultural experiences.
BUDDYMOON
A honeymoon turned holiday, where friends and family share the travel experience with the newlyweds.
SPAFARI
A luxe spin on the traditional safari, with lodgings and pampering spa treatments.
SET-JETTING
Visiting locations as seen in movies or television shows, such as Dubrovnik (the backdrop for Kings Landing in Game Of Thrones).
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Relationship")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}