Seven ways to upsell honeymoon packages
HONEYMOON packages offer
limitless possibilities for
upselling.
Upselling these trips to
clients can present a win-win
situation, explains Jennifer
Doncsecz. “Honeymooners
like to add tours and
excursions, and often do
this at their destination
because they are consumed
with wedding planning
prior to travelling. This is
an agent’s opportunity to
assist their honeymoon
clients at least a month
prior to travel by asking if
they can reserve any tours,
excursions, spa services
and even pre-night hotel
arrangements. Often add-on
items, such as excursions,
are commissionable and
providing this service helps
alleviate stress and
last-minute rushing around
that often occur with
wedding couples.”
“Upselling is a skill but
one that is not hard to
learn,” says Joanne Visagie.
Here are seven ways to
upsell honeymoon trips.
1. Room upgrades
Joanne advises travel
agents to show clients
pictures of the different
rooms on offer in order
for them to see what they
getting. “Pictures sell,”
she says.
2. Accommodation
upgrades
Honeymooners will often
be easily convinced to
switch from a four-star
to a five-star resort,
according to Joanne.
The trick here again is to
have knowledge and use
visuals.
3. All-inclusive options
For honeymooners, it’s
often a good idea to
upsell to an all-inclusive
option, she adds.
4.Business-class flights
According to Joanne, there
is often an opportunity
to quote on discounted
business-class airfares
for passengers who
would like to enjoy a
more luxurious flying
experience.
5. Unforgettable dining
experiences
Alexis Bekker says
romantic dining options
are always a favourite
with couples. She says,
for example, an offering
such as ‘feet in the sand’
dining, whereby a romantic
candle-lit table for two is
set up on the beach, is
often a huge success.
Rina Cilliers, gm
sales, marketing and
reservations for Legend
Hospitality Group, agrees
and says Meal on the
Mountain at Legend
Golf & Safari Resort
or Entabeni Safari
Conservancy is always
a popular option. “The
honeymooners will
be whisked away in a
helicopter to the top of a
mountain with a romantic
meal set up to be enjoyed
privately,” she says.
Romantic picnics at
Sailfish Bay on Bazaruto
Island are another great
upsell, says Michele
Abraham, Minor Hotel
Group’s regional marketing
communications manager
for Southern Africa.
She says the Anantara
Bazaruto Island team
will set up a gazebo and
delicious picnic lunch for
couples who will spend
the day on the beach
on their own, enjoying
snorkelling, dune boarding
or exploring the unspoilt
beaches and surrounds.
6. Pamper packages
Spa packages also
offer great upselling
opportunities. Alexis says
couple treatments in the
evening, followed by a
glass of champagne in
the relaxation area with
Jacuzzi, are an ideal addon
for honeymooners.
“By this time, the spa is
deserted and the couple
are left in the spa alone
to enjoy a romantic
evening together. The
spa is lit with candles
in a completely private
and romantic setting
just for two.”
7. Additional activities
According to Alan
Campbell, adding a
list of activities at
each location along
with their approximate
price, is invaluable to
honeymooners. He
says it gives clients a
good understanding of
the activities that are
available and which ones
they can afford.
What’s trending?
1 Réunion
Réunion is without a
doubt an up-and-coming
romantic destination for
South African travellers,
maintains Alexis Bekker.
“LUX* Saint Gilles in
Réunion is the only fivestar
beach resort and
offers the perfect balance
between a beach and
adventure honeymoon.”
LUX* is also opening
its second hotel on the
island next year, which will
offer private villas each
with its own pool – set
to be a truly romantic
setting. “This hotel will be
perfect for a couple who
enjoy the outdoors and
who are looking for some
physical activity as well as
a few days to relax on the
beach.”
2 Morocco
According to Joanne
Visagie, there has been
quite a lot of interest
in honeymoons to the
mystical ‘Red City’,
Marrakech, where
Beachcomber’s latest
hotel opened in December
2013. “Travellers can
choose the mysticism
of Morocco for an
unforgettable adventurefilled
honeymoon, where
romance and discovery
are the order of the day.
Marrakech will enchant
them with its ancient
charm while they explore
this magical city’s sights
and sounds during the first
few days of their new life
together.”
3 South Africa
At a time when local
couples are looking to save
both money and time, they
often opt for destinations
closer to home, says
Edwin Swan, Dream Hotels
and Resorts sales and
marketing manager. “For
time-poor couples, the
idea of a mini-moon is
very appealing. Instead of
taking a two-week break,
they’re opting for options
closer to home and for
shorter periods of time.
The extraordinary depth of
product available in South
Africa means domestic
breaks in romantic regions
like the Western Cape,
northern KwaZulu Natal
and the Kruger National
Park offer great getaways
at a price couples can
afford.”
Did you know?
South African travellers can
now take two pieces of
luggage to Mauritius on Air
Mauritius. Economy-class
passengers are allowed two
pieces each weighing 23kg
and business-class passengers
are allowed two pieces each
weighing 32kg. This is effective
for all tickets issued after
July 22.
Newsflash
Legend Lodges, Hotels
and Resorts has changed
its name to Legend
Hospitality Group.
Group ceo, Peet Cilliers,
said: “Rebranding the
Legend Group is certainly
a very exciting endeavour
for our company. We
believe that it is
important to continuously
keep innovating and
evolving to keep up with
an ever-changing industry
while still remaining true
to the core values of
our brand and creating
Legendary experiences at
all of our properties.
