Millennials drive new trends
THINK romantic
getaways, and couples
enjoying romantic
candlelight dinners come
to mind, but millennials
are turning the idea of a
romantic getaway on its
head. While some still
seek out traditional, beach
holidays and intimate
dinners, the vast majority
are looking to include
adventure, culture and
authentic experiences on
their romantic getaways.
South Africans are
following global trends,
says John Ridler,
Thompsons Holidays PR
& media manager. “There
is definitely a move away
from the ordinary concept
of romance. Couples want
to learn about the local
culture and enjoy adventure
activities together. Those
who do go to beach resorts
want to include something
active like diving, cycling or
hiking.”
Honeymooners, says
John, are including multiple
destinations on their
honeymoon itineraries,
and pair resort with city
experiences. “For the South
African market, that’s a
little harder to do,” he
says, as resorts tend to
offer seven-day packages.
Honeymooners get around
this by booking a multiresort
package and then
island hop in Greece, the
Seychelles or Maldives.
Where they’re not booking
resorts, they then try and
take advantage of all a
destination has to offer
like spending a few days in
Bangkok, hiking in Chiang
Mai and relaxing in Koh
Samui.
Teresa Richardson, The
Travel Corporation’s head
of marketing, says multipledestination
honeymoons
are perfect for travellers
who don’t have unlimited
time but who want to see
and do as much as they
can. “Trafalgar’s Discoveries
guided holidays are a
good option for couples
seeking to experience what
a destination has to offer
in the shortest time,” she
says, “while Trafalgar’s
Explorers guided holidays
have free time built in
to the itineraries, giving
couples time to experience
destinations on their own.”
Curious Traveller owner,
Penny Bannerman, adds
that the ‘romance of ice’
has become a big attraction.
“We’re seeing interest in
adventures in Patagonia,
Iceland and Lapland.
Travellers are realising that
global warming is going
to significantly change the
landscapes of the far north
and southern regions, so
want to experience these
destinations before it’s
too late.” In Iceland, one
can drive inside a glacier
mountain on a glacier car,
and in Lapland, lie in an
igloo and marvel at the
Northern Lights, she says.
While demand for romantic
getaways at resorts in the
Seychelles, Maldives and
Thailand remains strong,
Janine Pienaar, Perfect
Destinations sales and
marketing manager, has
also noted an increase in
requests from millennials
for experiential and culturefilled
holidays. “Millennials
seek adventure but
also remain very budget
conscious.
Also big business in the
millennial, romantic sphere,
says John, are destination
weddings and group
honeymoons. “Couples
are increasingly wanting to
celebrate their destination
wedding and share their
honeymoon with friends
and family. They usually
make it official in South
Africa, before heading off
to Mauritius or Seychelles
where they share the
ceremony with family and
close friends.”
Joanne Visagie,
Beachcomber Tours’ sales
and marketing director,
says the wedding market
has grown considerably
and become an important
part of Beachcomber’s
business. “Not only is it
cost-effective for all, but the
wedding couple, their friends
and children can all enjoy
a fantastic beach holiday
together.”
Activities that couples
can enjoy with their guests
to make the trip more
memorable, such as
catamaran cruises, are
very popular, says Lizelle
Morrison, Beachcomber’s
groups consultant. She says
millennials are driving the
change. “They want value for
money, hassle-free, barefootin-the-sand
experiences that
they can share with friends.”
Penny adds that group
honeymoons are generally
shorter and friends pay their
own way. “Cruising is popular
for group honeymoons
as there is lots to do,
everything is included and
participants can explore
exotic destinations together.”
Annemarie Lexow, Travel
Vision’s sales and marketing
manager, says millennials
seldom make use of travel
agents these days for
advice on where to go.
“It’s all about immediate
gratification, what Facebook
recommends and what
they’ve seen on Instagram
that convinces them where
to travel.
Book it!
Travel Vision is offering a five-night Rio City & Beach Combo, from R15 626pps, valid for travel until
October 31. The package includes return economy-class fares and taxes ex-JNB, three nights in Rio
at the three-star Astoria Copacabana, two nights at the three-star La Chimare Pousada, airport/hotel
transfers in Rio, a Rio-Buzios Airport transfer and an HD Sugarloaf & City Tour.
Mauritius, always a firm favourite
WHETHER it’s the great
value offered by a Mauritius
package, the quality of its
resorts, the sheer beauty
and tranquillity of the island
or the culture of its people,
Mauritius remains the
romantic getaway favourite
of South Africans. Club
Travel ITC, Caron Crocker,
says Mauritius is always
the most popular choice for
honeymooners and couples,
with romantic, private dinners
on the beach, rose petals
in rooms, champagne and
scented baths all special
treats.
Alexis Bekker, LUX*
Resorts & Hotels head of
sales and marketing: South
Africa and Africa, says
while Mauritius may not
be the newest and hottest
destination on everyone’s
list, it is the one that ticks
all the boxes with a triedand-tested
recipe. “We have
couples, young and old,
coming back for more and we
see this across generations.”
Beachcomber Tours’
Joanne Visagie says
Mauritius is a destination
one falls in love with over
and over again. “No matter
if you’re single, a couple or a
family, it’s an idyllic getaway
where great experiences,
choice, space, beauty and
Beachcomber’s amazing
inclusions nurture body and
soul. Our incredible resorts
are at the best locations
on the island, giving our
guests the opportunity to live
exceptional moments.”
Bubble Lodge, Ile aux
Cerfs
Sun Resorts, represented
by World Leisure Holidays
(WLH) in South Africa, has
signed an agreement with
the owners of Bubble Lodge
to exclusively sell the new
luxury, eco-friendly romantic
getaway on Mauritius’s Ile
aux Cerfs island, which
opened in September last
year.
The agreement means that
travellers can book romantic
nights at Bubble Lodge
through WLH. It comprises
three transparent bubblestyle
suites, each set in a
secluded spot with beautiful
island views. At night guests
can stargaze from the
comfort of their bubble.
The Bubble suites come
with a personal butler, there
to meet guests’ every need,
such as arranging a special
dinner for two on the beach
or under a Banyan tree. They
feature a queen-sized bed,
air-conditioning, a minibar
and private bathroom with
outdoor shower. For adults
with kids, a sofa bed is
available for two children
under 14 years old at an
additional cost. Breakfast
and dinner can be enjoyed
at the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club
restaurant and the rate also
includes a one-hour golf
lesson and green fees for a
round of golf. There are five
restaurants on the island, so
guests are spoilt for choice.
At the nearby Ile aux Cerfs
Adventure Park guests can
navigate their way through
a tree-top course and also
enjoy windsurfing, diving,
canoeing and fishing on
the island. There are
complimentary boat transfers
between Ile aux Cerfs and
the main island from the
Point Maurice jetty at 08h00
and 18h00 daily”
Romance on a budget
TRAVELLERS booking
romantic getaways are still
very price sensitive, says
Travel Vision’s Annemarie
Lexow. She says Brazil
is fantastic and a very
reasonable, budget-friendly
romantic getaway where
visitors can divide their time
between Rio and a beach
destination like Buzios.
Teresa Richardson of The
Travel Corporation says
value more than price is a
determining factor when it
comes to romantic getaways.
“A honeymoon, for example,
usually comes along once
in a lifetime. No one should
have to skimp on creating
incredible memories but
should rather look to travel
products that offer the best
value. Our Costsaver product
is one example.”
Going local is the best way
to ensure a budget-friendly
romantic getaway, says
Thompsons Holidays’ John
Ridler. “Self-drive holidays to
destinations in South Africa
can be just as romantic
as getaways that include
flights, which tend to be more
expensive.”
When booking hotels, John
advises agents to enquire
about room inclusions.
Rooms that exclude breakfast
and dinner can sometimes
work out more expensive.
For those seeking to
go cross border, John
recommends Mozambique.
“It has fantastic stretches
of coastline, accommodation
that is almost rustic yet
romantic, and fabulous food
at good prices. There are
also fantastic resorts in
Mozambique for those with a
bigger budget.”
Victoria Falls and
Botswana’s Chobe National
Park are also great options,
says John. “People tend to
forget that Victoria Falls is a
Unesco World Heritage Site
and one of the Seven Natural
Wonders of the World. And
watching the sun go down
deep in the Chobe bush is
an unforgettable romantic
experience.”
Further afield, he
recommends Italy. “Our Italy
by Rail seven-night package
is very affordable and
includes Rome, Venice and
Florence.”
The remote island of
Pomene in Mozambique,
one of the destinations
MSC Musica will sail to
from mid-November, is ideal
for romance on a budget,
says Ross Volk, md of
MSC Cruises. “The Pomene
Nature Reserve is a place
of authentic and wild beauty,
with a restful lagoon, magical
mangrove forest, and a
picturesque beach providing
everything one could want in
a romantic getaway without
the need for additional
activities that can bite into
one’s budget.”
For romantic experiences
on a budget in Cape Town,
Kimala Ross, Cape Town
Tourism’s communications
and PR manager,
recommends cycling on
the Sea Point promenade,
watching a movie at Cape
Town’s Labia Theatre; sharing
a picnic at Bakoven Beach in
Camps Bay, or watching the
sunset from Signal Hill.
The Philippines is so
romantic it’s like landing
in a box of Italian Kisses,
says Curious Traveller’s
Penny Bannerman. “From
the white sands of Bohol
Beach, Bohol’s limestone
cliffs, forest canopy walks,
zip lining, coral islands,
and rivers, it has everything
one could wish for.”
Another romantic mustdo
here, she says, is the
8,2km underground river
boat ride at the Puerto
Princesa Subterranean River
National Park – one of the
New7Wonders of Nature.”
Also offering good value
and romance are the Greek
islands of Kos and Corfu,
popular with the wedding and
honeymoon market.
Janine Pienaar of Perfect
Destinations, says Phuket
and Bali entice those on a
budget because of the wide
array of superior entry-level
accommodation and the
affordability once there.
Book It!
Surroundings of beach, forests, lakes and sea make aha The Rex Hotel in
Knysna ideal for a romantic escape. A winter offer, available until the end
of this month, cuts 25% off the best available rate for a standard room.
Real Rewards members receive an additional 5% discount for a minimum
two-night stay.
Highly recommended
Caron Crocker, Club Travel
ITC, says Venice is the most
romantic destination she’s
booked for clients. “The
most romantic experience
in Venice is a gondola trip,
especially when serenaded by
a gondolier.”
She has a few other
suggestions too. “In Paris,
enjoying a private tour in
a vintage open-top Citröen
with a driver in typical French
attire is the latest trend. Day
and night tours are available.”
In New York, Caron
recommends a horse-drawn
carriage ride through Central
Park and in Tuscany in Italy,
exploring the little villages
with a hired car and stopping
for wine tastings. “Turkey
also has an air of romance,
especially beautiful Istanbul.
I recommend a Bosphorus
cruise and a hot-air balloon
ride in Cappadocia, complete
with champagne.” Lastly, she
throws in Maldives’ beach
and water villas that offer
secluded private holidays.
Alexis Bekker, LUX*
Resorts & Hotels head of
sales and marketing: South
Africa and Africa, supports
this last suggestion. She
says the Maldives is “super
popular with honeymooners
and adventure seekers.”
Also popular, she advises, is
Réunion Island, while demand
for Turkey, in particular
Bodrum, is also on the
increase.
Requests for Greece and
island-hopping packages have
increased this year, says
Travel Vision’s Annemarie
Lexow. “Travellers are
wanting to combine beach
and cultural elements.
They love Greece’s perfect
balance between activities
and relaxation and moving
between islands.”
Mozambique’s uninhabited
Portuguese Island embodies
romance, says Ross Volk,
md of MSC Cruises. “It’s one
of the destinations our MSC
Musica cruise ship will be
sailing to from the middle of
November. Its secluded
bays are perfect for couples
seeking alone time. Couples
can sail around the island in
a traditional dhow, while more
active couples can take the
six-kilometre walk around the
entire island for a memorable
experience.”
He says MSC Cruises’ new
ship, MSC Seaview, which will
cruise the Mediterranean over
the next few months, is worth
consideration by couples
seeking to experience this
beautiful region.
A fantastic new product
ideal for romance, says
Penny Bannerman of Curious
Traveller, is Ponant’s new
cruise ship, Le Lapérouse,
which undertook its maiden
voyage out of Iceland on
July 10.
In a world-first for a
cruise ship, Le Lapérouse
is equipped with a multisensory
underwater lounge
called Blue Eye, from which
guests can watch the sea
life swim by while immersed
in a unique sensory listening
experience.
Did you Know?
MSC Cruises’ Special Moments Packages are available to book on every cruise and will make any
celebration special. Guests can surprise their loved one with a bottle of sparkling wine delivered to their
cabins with a selection of canapés, chocolate-covered strawberries or a fruit basket and even a birthday
cake. MSC Cruises also has special packages for ceremonies and important occasions as well as for
wellness and relaxation.
Book it!
Thompsons Holidays’ three-night package to Dubai from
R18 745pp, valid until January 10, 2019 (high-season
supplements may apply), includes return flights from
Johannesburg to Dubai including airline levies, return airport-hotel
transfers, three nights’ accommodation at the three-star Rove
Downtown hotel with breakfast daily; one-night desert safari with
transfers and all meals and beverages.
Also from Thompsons Holidays is two nights’ accommodation
with breakfast in the Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve in the
Cederberg for R4 025pps with breakfast. Guests can also upgrade
to full board and enjoy two guided excursions for an additional
R2 537pp or spend an extra night under the stars for R835pp.
Getting to ‘yes’
JOHN Ridler of Thompsons
Holidays says Victoria Falls
is a great spot to pop the
question. “Imagine standing
on the bridge at one of
the natural wonders of the
world and proposing while
facing the Falls, followed
by a dinner on the Royal
Livingstone Express train.”
He also recommends
Dubai. “Discover the lights
of Dubai and then head out
into the desert for a night
of glamping (glamorous
camping) in the Dubai Desert
Conservation Reserve.”
In South Africa, he
suggests a visit to the
beautiful Kagga Kamma
Nature Reserve in the
Cederberg, 250km from
Cape Town. Activities include
hiking, nature drives, a rock
art tour and stargazing.
“Couples can then slip
away from the main lodge
and spend the night under
the stars at the exclusive
Star Suite with supper and
drinks by lamplight – another
perfect place to pop the
question.”
Then there’s Bali. “After a
relaxing beach stay, travellers
can head into the mountains
with its rainforests and
verdant stepped rice
paddies. Take a taxi to the
Gates of Heaven at Oyra
Lemuyang.” This iconic
site with majestic Mount
Agung make a memorable
background to a proposal.
Cape Town Tourism’s
Kimala Ross recommends
Tintswalo Atlantic’s private
beach at the foot of
Chapman’s Peak. And for
the more adventurous, a
helicopter proposal on City
Helicopter’s Two Oceans
flight over Camps Bay,
Clifton, Hout Bay and the
Constantia Winelands. One
can also fly to the winelands
for lunch at a wine farm,
she suggests.
KZN sets the scene
Phindile Makwakwa,
acting ceo of Tourism KZN,
says the province presents
a whole clutch of proposal
ideas. These are her
suggestions, the first two
set against the beauty of
the Midlands Meander.
Picnic at Culamoya
Chimes: What’s more
romantic than popping
the question to the
sounds of wind chimes?
Culamoya Chimes in
Lidgetton boasts the
largest variety of chimes
in the country, in a range
of sizes and materials.
Chime sounds range
from the bells of Big Ben
or St Paul’s to raindrops,
dreams and streams.
Top of the Moses
Mabhida Stadium:
Suggest that your clients
discover Durban from a
106m-high vantage point
with spectacular views
over the Indian Ocean
and city. Just the place
to get down on one knee.
Hot-air ballooning:
Floating on air in a hotair
balloon trip over the
beautiful landscapes
of Nottingham Road is
undoubtedly a romantic
way to pop the question.
Celebrate thereafter with
a traditional Champagne
breakfast.
Horseback riding on
the beach: There is
something magical about
riding into the sunset
with a loved one. Beach
rides at sunset are
offered by Horse Beach
Rides on the beautiful
Reunion beach in the
south of Durban.
Sunset dinner by the
beach: Suggest that your
clients take a sunset
walk on the promenade
in Umhlanga, a romantic
must-do in the Durban
area. A great idea for
romantics is to get a
partner’s name written
in sand on the beautiful
sand art sculptures
on the beach. End the
evening with a sunset
dinner at The Oyster Box
hotel.
Canonnier for couples
From Beachcomber comes a five-night couples’ special
discount of 25% at Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort
& Spa, valid for departures from December 1-6 in a
standard garden-facing room from R17 250pps. Rates
include return Air Mauritius Travel Smart Programme
airfare ex-JNB, airport taxes, return transfers, breakfast
and dinner daily, and free land and motorised water
sports as per brochure. Guests can enjoy a host of
other Beachcomber Plus Factor savings including 15%
off massages and a 10%-20% saving on selected
excursions.
Lapland interlude
CURIOUS Traveller is offering a
six-night Lapland Winter Break
Levi from R35 250 (minimum
two pax), valid from December
12, 2018 to April 14, 2019.
The package includes five
nights in a spa hotel, one
night in a Levi glass igloo and
dinner at Kammi restaurant.
Excursions include a visit to
a husky farm with sled ride,
snowmobile excursions, a
reindeer safari and visit to a
reindeer farm. Rates do not
apply over the Christmas week
and New Year.
Book it!
Beachcomber is offering 30% discount for honeymooners and wedding anniversary guests on the land
portion of their package. This is combinable with Beachcomber’s Repeat Guest Offer. The offers are valid
for travel until October 31 and for villa accommodation until September 30. The anniversary offer is
applicable to every fifth wedding anniversary.
Thompsons Holidays has a three-night package to the four-star David Livingstone Safari Lodge &
Spa, with breakfast daily and two dinners from R13 475pps, valid until December 19. The package
includes return economy-class flights from Johannesburg to Livingstone, including airline levies, return
transfers from the airport to the lodge, a sunset cruise on the Lady Livingstone, and dinner on the Royal
Livingstone Express – a restored steam train with an elegant vintage dining car.
Thompsons Holidays’ three-night package to Dubai from R18 745pp, valid until January 10, 2019 (highseason
supplements may apply), includes return flights from Johannesburg to Dubai plus airline levies,
return airport-hotel transfers, three nights’ accommodation at the three-star Rove Downtown hotel with
breakfast daily; one night desert safari with transfers and all meals and beverages.
