Weddings and Honeymoons Abroad - UK

Published by: Mintel International Group Ltd.

Published: Sep. 1, 2008 - 93 Pages

Table of Contents

Issues in the Market

Main issues

Definitions

Abbreviations

Market in Brief

The price is right

I’ll do it my way

Get me to the castle on time

Love in a cold climate

Alt. honeymoons

Internal Market Environment

Key points

Tough times ahead

Figure 1: Domestic vs overseas holidays 2003-13

Under pressure

Figure 2: Domestic and overseas holidays expenditure, 2003-13

Core package strengths

Figure 3: Inclusive holidays versus independent holidays, by volume, 2003-07

Multiple threat

Figure 4: Percentage of adults booking UK and overseas holidays, 2003-07

Bethnal Green to Barbados

Figure 5: Overseas holidays by region, 2003-07

Spain drain

Figure 6: Top 25 holiday destinations, by number of visits, 2003-07

North African wave

Beyond the beach

Figure 7: Package holiday types, 2003-07

Figure 8: Independent holiday types, 2003-07

Broader Market Environment

Key points

Where have all the good times gone?

Figure 9: GfK NOP Consumer Confidence Index, August 2007-July 2008

Trading down

Figure 10: UK spending priorities for year ahead, January 2005-08

Recession risk

Figure 11: Trends in personal disposable income and consumer expenditure, 2003-13

Marriage on the rocks

Figure 12: UK marriages and divorces, 1996-2012

Shacking up

We don’t do God

Figure 13: Number of marriages in England and Wales, by type of ceremony (civil or religious), 1995-2006

Getting hitched later and richer

Figure 14: Mean age for first marriages and remarriages in England and Wales, by gender, 1996-2006

Mature couples

Figure 15: Number of marriages in England and Wales, by age of bride, 1995-2005

Second time around

Guaranteed sunshine

Figure 16: Seasonality of marriages in England and Wales, number of marriages in each month, 2001-05

In the pink

Figure 17: Number of UK registered civil partnerships, 2005-07

Starting over

Ageing, expanding marriage market

Figure 18: Trends in the age structure of the UK population, by gender, 2003-13

ABs remain to be convinced

Figure 19: Forecast adult population trends, by socio-economic group, 2003-13

Working for the yankee dollar

Figure 20: Sterling exchange rates at 31st March each year, 2005-08

Competitive Context

Key points

Bigger slice of the cake

Figure 21: Number of weddings in the UK and abroad, 2003-08

Low volume/high margin

Strengths and Weaknesses in the Market

Strengths

Weaknesses

Market Size and Forecast

Key points

Past and present: Steady growth

Figure 22: Number of weddings in the UK and abroad, 2003-13

Weddings abroad value

Figure 23: Estimated value of the weddings abroad market, 2003-13

Honeymoons value

Future: Upward trend

Factors used in the forecast

Segment Performance

Key points

Cost breakdown

Figure 24: Estimated breakdown of expenditure on weddings abroad, 2008

Destination split

Cyprus a venue

Emerging destinations

Same-sex segment

Renewal segment

Honeymoon destinations

Figure 25: Most popular overseas honeymoon destinations in short haul and long haul segments, 2008

Companies and Products

Key points

Supply overview

Market share

Figure 26: Top 20 UK tour operator market share, by licensed passengers 2007

Wedding packages

Operators

Cosmos

Kuoni

Perfect Weddings & Honeymoons

Planet Holidays

Sandals

Thomas Cook Group

TUI Travel Group

Virgin Holidays

DIY weddings abroad

Distribution

Key points

Shopping for weddings

Figure 27: Package holiday booking methods, 2003-07

Shopping for honeymoons

Marketing channels

Figure 28: Specialist UK wedding magazines and exhibitions, 2008

Wedding Plans

Key points

Figure 29: Wedding plans, May 2008

No change in intentions

The marrying kind

AB weakness

Targeting the planners

Renewals pool

Attitudes Towards Weddings Abroad

Key points

Figure 30: Attitudes to weddings, May 2008

Lifestyle choice

Overseas wedding enthusiasts

Cost factor

Stress avoidance

Best of both worlds

No DIY impulse

Attitudes Towards Honeymoons

Key points

Figure 31: Attitudes to honeymoons, May 2008

Couple time

Divided honeymoon nation

Unusual honeymoons

Independent spirit

Appendix - Wedding Plans

Figure 32: Wedding plans by demographics, May 2008

Appendix - Attitudes Towards Weddings Abroad

Figure 33: Most popular attitudes to weddings by demographics, May 2008

Figure 34: Other attitudes to weddings by demographics, May 2008

Appendix - Attitudes Towards Honeymoons

Figure 35: Most popular attitudes to honeymoons by demographics, May 2008

Figure 36: Other attitudes to honeymoons by demographics, May 2008

Abstract

The overseas weddings market is growing steadily, whilst UK marriage rates fall to their lowest level since records began. Weddings abroad now account for an estimated 16% of all UK marriages, up from 10% in 2003, with cost savings and avoidance of stress proving major attractions for a growing number of couples.

Meanwhile the honeymoon is ingrained in our culture and new developments such as civil partnerships and renewal of vows have further potential to boost the market. However, destinations, product and promotion remain far more traditional than in other areas of the rapidly diversifying holiday sector. The challenge is how to innovate and how to entice larger groups to partake in weddings overseas.

This report provides an overview of the market for weddings and honeymoons abroad, investigating the core market factors, strengths and weaknesses, consumer dynamics, and likely future trends.

Main report themes:

• What are the main and emerging destinations for weddings and honeymoons abroad?
• What is the scope for innovation in this relatively traditional market?
• What are the key UK marriage trends and what are their implications for weddings abroad?
• Who are the leading operators in the marketplace?
• What is the potential for same-sex WHA products and renewal packages?
• What are the demographics and emotional drivers of weddings abroad vs weddings at home?

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