Caribbean/Mexico: Endless Love—Sun, Sand & Romance

JUNKAROO BEACHEndless Love: Sun, Sand & RomanceBy Lydia GregoryBeaches and romance go together like weddings and cake—read on for a look at some fun choices for getaways you can recommend to the happy couples on your client list.ALG Vacations“The romance and destination weddings market continues to be one of the biggest travel segments for ALG Vacations,” says Jacki Marks, executive v.p. of trade brands for ALG Vacations. But, she adds: “Romance-themed vacations are not just for honeymooners anymore. We’re seeing couples travel to reconnect, for proposal trips, anniversaries and even baby-moons. The all-inclusive market is great for these travelers. It’s an easy, convenient vacation, plus you can find amazing resorts to fit a wide range of budgets. There really is something for every couple.”ALG VACATIONS Marks adds that destination weddings have always been a big part of their group business but have become even more popular since the pandemic. Another draw for clients is ALGV’s Exclusive Nonstop Vacation Flights (ENVF) program, with nonstop flights to Mexico and Caribbean beach destinations from many U.S. gateways. Priced competitively, they’re a considerable value and “customers really love the low deposit options.”ZOETRY DINNER According to Marks, top destinations for the romance segment continue to be Cancun/Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, Jamaica and Aruba. Still, off-the-beaten-path locations like Isla Mujeres are piquing client interest. The destination is home to two Hyatt Inclusive Collection properties— boutique Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres and Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres, which opened on May 19. “While these destinations may be considered mainstream, clients in this segment are customizing their vacations to create unique experiences,” she says in closing. “For example, TRS Yucatan in Riviera Maya offers a private dinner at an onsite cenote, and dinner kicks off with a traditional Mayan ceremony led by the resort’s shaman.”O2 Beach Club & SpaBarbardos’ newest luxury all-inclusive boutique resort, O2 Beach Club & Spa has recently debuted its Proposal Concierge, a service specifically created to help your clients pop the question with all the five-star trimmings, including an engagement in a “bubble on the beach” dinner for two, with a hidden personal photographer, a violinist and more. “On its own blissful cove of the South Coast, O2 Beach Club & Spa is a romantic oasis for every phase of love,” says Patricia Affonso-Dass, group general manager of Ocean Hotels. “Our luxury boutique, all-inclusive resort meets couples where they are on their journey of love, crafting personalized itineraries that align with an engagement, wedding, honeymoon, anniversary or beyond.”OCEAN HOTELS The resort has updated its signature packages for 2023—which can be personalized in accordance with their “Your Day, Your Way” ethos—and honeymooners staying a minimum of three nights will enjoy a complimentary Honeymoon Experience package with sparkling wine, spa discounts at the Acqua Spa, room upgrades and more. Check out the OceanHotelsRewards program in the dedicated Travel Advisor Portal to earn rewards for every booking. Of note: Ocean Hotels Barbados commissions are now guaranteed. Nassau Paradise Island“Nassau Paradise Island just lends itself to the romance market,” shares Joy Jibrilu, CEO of Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board. “This is very important for us. The U.S. is so close that it makes it a very easy honeymoon destination, so proximity is there, but it offers something so completely different and unique.” Nassau Paradise Island is not only close and well-connected with myriad nonstop flights from the U.S., but its Lynden Pindling International Airport is also the first airport outside the U.S. to offer TSA PreCheck, U.S. Customs and Immigration pre-clearance, plus Global Entry expedited clearance—a big plus for travelers. “But we’re way more than just a honeymoon destination,” she comments. “People are now coming for destination weddings; that’s a big part of what many of our hotels do.” Baha Mar, for example, has its own wedding chapel, Atlantis Paradise Island is famous for its weddings and The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, has, she says, “the most exquisite outdoor space for a destination wedding.” We’d be remiss not to mention the recently opened Goldwynn Resort & Suites’ mid-century elegance and sophisticated accommodations. NASSAU QUTOE According to Jibrilu, the island welcomes visitors celebrating romance in various ways: proposals, bachelor and bachelorette parties trending, and then, after the wedding, the baby-moon. “We’re tapping into all these various little points that stem from the relationship.” Part of Downtown Nassau’s revitalization, The Pointe is comprised of three distinctive properties—the family-friendly Margaritaville Beach Resort, the exquisite One Particular Harbour condo hotel and the historic British Colonial Nassau hotel (opening December 2023). Couples now have three choices for honeymoons that will place them right in the center of the action. Opened in 2021, the Margaritaville Beach Resort is an excellent option for destination weddings, with plenty to do for couples and their friends to stay afterward. Oceanfront suites are the way to go, and if the happy couple wants their wedding party to stay close, recommend the 2-bedroom Sunset Suite and the Jimmy Buffet Suite, also 2-bedroom, but with a pool table and a wrap-around corner balcony. One Particular Harbour has its own luxury appeal, with studio, 1-, 2-, 3- and even 4-bedroom residential-style accommodations—for couples who really want everyone in on the post-wedding fun. Guests here have access to everything at Margaritaville—restaurants, bars, spa—plus it’s just steps away from downtown’s own array of day and night fun. Recommend a ground-floor unit: your clients can slide open their door and step out to the private pool and the marina. Currently undergoing a massive renovation to the tune of $65 million, British Colonial Nassau is known as the “Grand Dame of Nassau.” Established in 1901, this property will offer a blend of history and modern amenities, with all its 288 rooms and suites reflecting the golden age of Nassau. This property has its own slice of white sand beach and pool, as well as food and drink outlets, though it will also be within walking distance of downtown and have privileges across the entire complex of The Pointe.BERMUDA BEACHBermudaWhile Bermuda shares a British heritage with The Bahamas (part of CARICOM), this island nation is not, in fact, part of the Caribbean. Its iconic pink-sand beaches, blend of cultures and gorgeous natural wonders, though, put it right up there in the pantheon of island beauties that are just made for romance. “Our island rests on an astoundingly beautiful stretch of the North Atlantic, a mere 650 miles east of North Carolina. Flights from New York and other eastern U.S. cities reach our shores in less than two hours, making trips for newlyweds and wedding parties very attainable,” says Jamari Douglas, v.p. of marketing, PR and communications for the Bermuda Tourism Authority. “Bermuda is a place of big smiles, exhilarating adventure and dreamlike escapes that welcomes all types of travelers—particularly those celebrating milestones such as weddings and honeymoons. The destination extends an abundance of unique venues and picturesque settings—intimate to grand—catering to all special occasions.”BERMUDA QUOTE Venues for weddings and honeymoons run the luxury gamut, from the 1920s elegance of Cambridge Beaches’ pink beachfront cottages and secluded beaches and coves to the grandeur of the Hamilton Princess’ pink palace with its splendid spa, marina and private beach club and the signature service and exceptional luxury of The St. Regis Bermuda Resort in historic St. George’s, to name a few. And couples won’t lack for things to do on the island—think jet-ski and shipwreck tours and visits to caves and grottos. Contact InformationALG Vacations: appleleisuregroup.comBermuda Tourism Authority: gotobermuda.comNassau Paradise Island Promotion Board: nassauparadiseisland.comO2 Beach Club & Spa: o2beachclubbarbados.com

COVERDISNEY CRUISE LINETable of ContentsEditor's NotesSANDALSSANDALS SPREADAdvisor Speak: Peer Advice — Selling Destination WeddingsTURKISH AIRLINESIndustry Insights: The Caribbean is on a RollHYATT INCLUSIVE COLLECTIONPALLADIUM SPREADCaribbean/Mexico: Endless Love—Sun, Sand & RomanceCaribbean/Mexico: "Destination I Do"SANDALS SCLA COLECCION SCLA COLECCION ADSAINT LUCIA SCSAINT LUCIA ADOnsite Review: Iberostar Selection Playa Mita—Something for EveryoneOnsite Review: Hyatt Ziva & Zilara—The Two Faces of Hyatt in the Mexican CaribbeanSouth Pacific: Tahiti — New Air & Land Booking OptionsCruise: Sail Away—Cruise Lines Celebrate LoveVIRGIN VOYAGES SCVIRGIN VOYAGES ADOnboard Review: MSC Meraviglia RelocatesRECOMMEND EDU HOUSE AD