9/25/2014

DWHSA Webinars

The Best Romance Travel Destinations in the U.S.A.

What do we sell most?

Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. (Image credit; Lisa Sheldon)

Why would couples want a U.S. romantic getaway? • • •

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It’s “closer to home” for many couples (at least in theory). They can plan DWs and honeymoons with shorter lead times (even elopements!). They’ll have a wider variety of atmospheres and activities to choose from, esp. if they don’t want or need to be at the beach. These locales are ideal for shorter getaways such as “mini moons.”

Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved.

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The challenges for us • • • • •

It can be much tougher to find all-inclusive resorts and packages for U.S. destinations. Without packages to sell, earning and tracking commissions can be a hassle. You’ll typically sell general “city packages” – not romance-themed packages. We’ll need to locate and manage outside wedding planners and vendors in many cases. The more involved we become in the “planning,” the more time we’ll spend on these bookings (and, the more revenue we need to generate). Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved.

Other tips • • • • •

Talk with your preferred wholesalers now, and create a handy checklist of the U.S. destinations they serve Remember that U.S.-based DWs will require that extra step: finding planners, officiants, and vendors Work through the city CVB/state tourism office for local vendor recommendations Ask those local vendors if they pay agent commissions Consider adding service fees, especially if you’re tracking down and managing local vendors

Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved.

A great research resource •

www.brides.com

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www.bridalguide.com

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www.weddingbells.ca

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www.destinationweddingmag.com

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www.destinationido.com Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved.

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The key U.S. spots • • • • • •

Niagara Falls, N.Y. Atlantic City, N.J. Outer Banks, N.C. Charleston, S.C. Savannah, Ga. Florida

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New Orleans, La. Aspen and Vail, Colo. Phoenix and Scottsdale, Ariz. Napa Valley, Calif.

Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved.

Niagara Falls, N.Y.

American and Bridal Falls Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Ujjwal Kumar - Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_and_Bridal_Falls_as_seen_from_Skylon_Tower.jpg#mediaviewer/File:American _and_Bridal_Falls_as_seen_from_Skylon_Tower.jpg

Niagara Falls, N.Y.

“Maid of the Mist” boat Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: By Saffron Blaze (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Numerous local chapels Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Bridal Chapel of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Top of the Falls Restaurant – Niagara Falls State Park Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Niagara Falls State Park

Atlantic City, N.J.

The famed Atlantic City boardwalk Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: "Boardwalk-01" by Italo2712 - Own work. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boardwalk-01.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Boardwalk-01.jpg

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Atlantic City, N.J.

The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: By Pilotbob at en.wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], from Wikimedia Commons

Atlantic City, N.J.

Bachelorette/bachelor parties + ceremony + honeymoon Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Outer Banks, N.C.

Relaxed beach options Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Christopher “Rice” via Flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

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Outer Banks, N.C.

Lighthouse ceremonies Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Randy Pertlet via Flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

Outer Banks, N.C.

Gardens and historic homes Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Elizabethan Gardens

Charleston, S.C.

Historic downtown area Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Anne Hornyak via Flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

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Charleston, S.C.

Married on the golf course (2 main resorts) Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Anne Hornyak via Flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

Savannah, Ga.

22 historic squares around the city Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: By Ebyabe (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Florida

Theme park options Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: By Disney Fairy Tale Weddings

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Florida

“Old Florida” locales Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Little Palm Island Resort

New Orleans, La.

French Quarter style Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: By djnaquin67 (Flickr: riverboat 2011 021) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

New Orleans, La.

Foodie options across the city Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: JasonParis via Flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

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Aspen and Vail, Colo.

Perfect for winter weddings Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: St. Regis Aspen

Aspen and Vail, Colo.

But, great for summer trips too! Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: Beaver Creek Mountain

Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz.

Another great winter option Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: The Phoenician

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Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz.

Super luxurious resorts Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: The Phoenician

Napa Valley, Calif.

Vineyard ceremonies and receptions Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved. Image: "Beringer Vineyards, Napa Valley, California, USA (6631769317)" by Jim G from Silicon Valley, CA, USA - Beringer Vineyards, Napa Valley, California, USAUploaded by Josve05a. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beringer_Vineyards,_Napa_Valley,_California,_USA_(6631769317).jpg#mediaviewer/File:Beringer_Vineyard s,_Napa_Valley,_California,_USA_(6631769317).jpg

Other options Pocono Mountains, Pa. Gatlinburg, Tenn. Mackinac Island, Mich. Cape Cod, Mass. Santa Fe, N.M. Lake Tahoe, Nev./Calif. Seattle, Wash. Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved.

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Questions? [email protected] OR 615.730.9977

Copyright 2014 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association. All rights reserved.

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