Destinations Weddings Account for $16 billion in Annual Spending

July 12, 2011 - PRLog -- Destination weddings are big business. In addition to accounting for $16 billion in annual spending the number of destination weddings are increasing by more than 20%. Statistics show that 24% of marriages are destination weddings. And with an average of 48 guests attending these weddings, that can be vital business for hotels, when managed properly. AskMeInc is a provider of hotel and destination sales and marketing services. They offer five simple and effective tips for increasing wedding bookings.

   “The most popular months for destination weddings are summer months and that is great news for Mexico and the Caribbean where summer tends to be the slow season,” stated Marilyn Cairo, Vice President of Marketing at AskMeInc. “Brides start planning shortly after getting engaged and we help both the bride and the hotel ensure every question is answered, every detail is met and that the wedding is spectacular.”

The team at AskMeInc has increased weddings at one hotel by more than 65% and quadrupled net profits per wedding.  “We understand what brides want and we work hand-in-hand with the hotels to exceed the brides expectations,” states Hilary Lanzer, Vice President of Sales at AskMeInc. The team at AskMeInc, a company that hotels and destinations can hire to increase their number of weddings and profits, offers five simple tips on working with a bride:

1.   Respond quickly. About 1 in 4 couples considered their wedding a destination wedding in 2010. This is great news and means that when a couple first reached out to a hotel or destination for information that is the best opportunity to get the reservation. If there is a delay or incomplete information, confidence in the hotel or destination will decrease and they will opt for a different destination or hotel. So, respond quickly, with clear information and answer all the questions.

2.   The bride comes first. Be sure that every bride is treated like the only bride. Wedding coordinators at hotels need to focus on the wedding of that day. However, the average engagement is 15 months long and brides start planning their wedding shortly after they get engaged. So, be sure that bride is given all the attention she needs even if the wedding is more than a year away.

3.   Plan ahead. All the details of the wedding should be finalized before the bride arrives. When the couple arrives, they should enjoy their entire stay and not be stressed over wedding details. By planning ahead and communicating clearly, both the hotel and the bride with have a stress-free wedding.

4.   Partner with travel agents. Travel agents book more than 75% of destination weddings. They are you best sales force and you can develop a great partnership with them. Work with them closely and help them increase their business.

5.   If your hotel is located outside of the USA, have a US-based office, call center or sales center. This gives travelers added confidence and allows the team at the hotel to focus on guests currently at the hotel.

According to Carley Roney, editor in chief of The Knot Inc, brides are willing to spend despite the state of the economy and approximately 1 in 5 brides are spending more than $30,000 on their wedding. “Weddings can really boost the bottom line for hotels and destinations,” stated Cairo, “The critical part is doing it properly. Weddings are the most important event a couple plans and there are no do-overs. If a hotel wants to succeed in the wedding market, they need to be very committed.”

AskMeInc is a Miami-based firm that serves as an outside sales and marketing company for hotels and destinations, offering private call center services, travel agent training and incentive programs, and representation at consumer and trade shows. The company has a division that specializes in destination weddings. For more information visit www.AskMeInc.com.

Wedding Statistics from:
•   TheKnot.com & WeddingChannel.com 2010 Real Weddings Survey
•   http://honeymoons.about.com/cs/eurogen1/a/weddingstats.htm
•   http://www.weddingbusinesstoday.com/

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