Destination weddings have become such a strong market for
the travel agents who specialize in the niche that there are now specialties
within the specialty.
Lisa Sheldon, executive director of Wisconsin-based
Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Specialists Association (DWHSA), said agents
are interested in “drilling down” and learning about the needs of specific
groups to better serve couples wanting special ceremonies and events. Two upcoming seminars by the 750-member association, founded
in early 2013, are addressing two such “sub-specialties,” South Asian weddings
and weddings for LGBT clients, with a pair of workshops open to members and
nonmembers alike.
“The desire among agents to do destination weddings
continues to grow, and now we're hearing from people who are interested in
learning about markets where there are quirks and more knowledge required,” she
said. “There are certain things you need to know when you're working with an
LGBT couple and also with Hindu and Sikh weddings, which can be huge in terms
of money spent.”
Both specialties are growing, she said. More states have
legalized same-sex unions, and more South Asian families in the U.S. are
considering destination weddings as a way of gathering far-flung family who
have to fly long distances for weddings. “It's not unusual for South Asians to
spend $100,000 for a three- or four-day wedding celebration, and they are
looking at Mexico and other destinations where those kind of celebrations can
be done for less.”
Iberostar is hosting the association's LGBT workshop at the
Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso on Mexico’s Riviera Maya Sept. 8 to 10. The
trainer will be Bernadette Smith, the founder and president of the Gay Wedding
Institute and author of books about same-sex weddings. She will discuss the
LGBT wedding market, best practices, laws and policies, trends, traditions and
expectations. The registration fee is $399.
AMResorts is hosting the association's South Asian weddings
and honeymoons workshop at Dreams Tulum in Mexico Oct. 5 to 8. The trainer will
be Brenda Fernandez, a wedding planner certified by a Mumbai-based wedding
institute that trains planners in South Asian weddings. She will cover the
culture, food, music, decor and garments involved in the ceremonies, which can
last several days. The registration fee is $349.
The workshops are open to DWHSA members, but nonmember
agents can be placed on a waiting list and accommodated if there are openings.
The DWHSA is also holding its second Romance Travel Market
conference in Chicago April 16 to 19, open to anyone considering the niche or
already specializing in weddings and honeymoons. Registration is $199.
“Because it's in Chicago, which is centrally located and
relatively easy to get to, we're truly focused on education at this conference
and not looking first-hand at a destination,” Sheldon said.
“We've got three keynote speakers and the rest of our
content will be panel discussions in which we learn from our own members and
hear what works and doesn't work for them. We welcome anyone who is considering
the niche and doesn't know much about it. Or, maybe they've booked honeymoons
but want to expand to destination weddings.”
For details see www.romancetravelmarket.com
and www.dwagents.com.