Tradition alive but budgets trimmed
LOVE it or hate it,
Valentine’s Day is still big
business and a day for
couples to celebrate their love,
often by seeking out dreamy
escapes and distinctive
experiences.
Yet as times have changed
and budgets tightened,
Valentine’s Day is not nearly as
popular for South Africans as it
used to be, says international
sales and cruise executive at
Sure Voyager Travel and Tours,
Stuart Kirkbright.
“This is mainly because
the people who celebrate it
mostly are younger couples.
The current financial situation
has also reduced a week away
to a local weekend away, or a
weekend away to a romantic
dinner. Spare finances are just
not around for the romantic
Thai and island holidays we
used to book for clients.”
On a local basis, Stuart says
the ‘Bush and Berg’ is still
popular for clients living by
the coast, and for those living
inland, visiting the beaches
of KwaZulu Natal is a good
choice. The Winelands remain
a favourite because the Cape
is beautiful and romantic in
February.
He says for those with a bit
more to spend, cruising locally
is a well-liked option. “For
couples with a bigger budget,
Thailand is about the best
value and also very popular.”
In terms of booking trends,
Stuart doesn’t see much longterm planning at the moment
because people need to
see if they have disposable
income left for spontaneous
celebrations.
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal acting
ceo, Phindile Makwakwa,
says the KZN destinations
that are renowned for being
‘romantic’, such as the
Midlands, Drakensberg and
other parts of the province,
enjoy an average 90% to
100% occupancy rate for
most of their accommodation
establishments during the
Valentine’s Day weekend.
“This serves as confirmation
that Valentine’s Day is still
celebrated,” she says. While
Phindile has seen the trend
where couples choose to
celebrate their love on other
days, not only on February 14,
she says there is still a great
belief that Valentine’s Day is
a special day, second only to
their actual anniversary.
Another trend she’s noticed
about Valentine’s Day
packages is that couples are
looking for good, intimate
accommodation facilities
where they can enjoy each
other’s company with no hectic
activities. Popular experiences
include spa treatments, fine
dining and picnics.
The domestic market
remains KZN’s key source
market, she says, with
increasing growth seen on
intra-provincial travel where
people are exploring their own
province.
Thompsons Holidays
marketing manager, Celeste
Muir, says clients don’t wait
for Valentine’s Day offers
before booking a regional or
international package. “We
do, however, find more of the
local deals selling well over
this time.”
Karen Donkin, responsible
for marketing and contracting
at Serendipity Tours, also finds
that people are booking mostly
local experiences these days
for Valentine’s Day and they
book it directly themselves.
Travel Counsellor Kirsty
Heath hasn’t seen any interest
in Valentine’s Day breaks
from clients.
“I’m not sure if it is an
economy thing or if I don’t
have that kind of clientele, but
I haven’t had any enquiry for
Valentine’s Day breaks in the
last couple of years.”
Yet fellow Travel Counsellor
Kerith Hulme, who also
specialises in weddings as
well as honeymoons, still
finds clients booking travel
specifically for Valentine’s Day.
“Generally, this is more
for local travel and weekend
getaways.”
Book it!
Book a two-night self-drive package with Thompsons Holidays from R4 880pps at The
Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa near Camps Bay, valid for travel until April 30. In addition to
accommodation in a classic room and breakfast daily, complimentary bonus add-ons
include ‘Tea by the Sea’ for two, a scheduled transfer to/from Camps Bay and the V&A
Waterfront as well as access to pools at the spa. Guests can also upgrade to a Royal
Affair package from R3 047pp and receive an additional night’s accommodation;
breakfast, including oysters and wine; a three-course dinner (Azure Restaurant); a glass of
wine on arrival; a cocktail pp in The Leopard Bar including a crudité platter; R500 hotel
credit and a rose petal turndown. The special is valid for midweek stays and a weekend
supplement of R172pp applies. Photo: The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa/The Red Carnation Hotel Collection
How to sell romantic holidays
I LOVE helping couples with
their honeymoon – the trip of a
lifetime. I sit with each couple
and really focus on getting to
know them and what makes
them unique. I take into
account everything, from their
preferred pillow types to their
favourite books, so I have as
much insight as possible. Then
we talk about the destination,
the timing and the logistics –
and then the fun really begins
for me!
I create a wish list – or
registry – of extra items and
experiences for them, such
as a bottle of champagne
at dinner, a helicopter flip, a
special lunch in the gardens,
and all sorts of nice-tohaves that depend on each
venue. I discuss about 80%
of the options together with
the couple, but I also love
to sneak in a few surprise
options for them too.
What makes this even better
as a Travel Counsellor is that
we offer a fantastic service
where the client can open a
Honeymoon Bridal Registry
account with me and then their
guests can contribute to the
account via EFT or credit card.
Wish list gifts
The couple receive Thank
You cards and gorgeous
stationery as part of the
package. Their guests can
either contribute a cash value
in line with their budget, or
actually purchase each of the
extras that I’ve added to the
wish list. I’ve seen couples
receive scenic aeroplane rides,
Michelin-starred dinners and
guided tours as gifts, all of
which the couple would not
have been able to add to
their honeymoon without the
registry service.
This is such a useful service
these days, as the large
majority of couples already
live together so traditional
registry items of cutlery and
linen are not needed. It takes
away any awkwardness for the
couple since it is seamlessly
and professionally managed
through the account.
I also make sure there is
something for everyone’s
budget. It’s one of my favourite
aspects of being in the travel
game. I can also assist with
destination weddings; I have
an incentives background so
managing a wedding’s logistics
is easy. Travel Counsellors
also has a dedicated wedding
department that supports me.
Book it!
Kulula holidays is promoting Valentine’s Day in
Mauritius with a package selling from R13 977pps
at the four-star Solana Beach (valid for travel
February 1-29). The package includes seven nights’
accommodation in a Superior Classic Room, return
flights JNB-MRU, all pre-payable airport taxes and fuel
levies as well as return airport-resort transfers. It also
includes a free upgrade from half board to full board
and, for an extra R3 752pp, the client can upgrade
to all inclusive. Added value: kayak, pedal boat and
windsurfing. One free rum tasting at Lakaz Rum pp per
stay. Valid for sales until January 15.
