Honeymoons ain’t what they used to be in India. They have permuted and combined and diversified into anything from a short quick interlude after the wedding to a longer immersive experience down the line, to, wait for it, even as a mega milestone celebration a few years down the line. From ages 25 all the way up to 65, they are mooning over it, and in what will be happy news to the travel and tourism industry, Indians are splurging like never before.
Consumer data from omnichannel travel service firm Thomas Cook (India) and its group company SOTC Travel reveal strong demand from the high opportune couple segment, right from fresh off-the-nuptials couples to those wanting a special anniversary celebration to renew their vows later in life.
Online searches for honeymoon packages fitting into the new trends are also up 30 per cent, as everyone is looking for that perfect destination for the perfect honeymoon.
The shift includes couples planning not just one special honeymoon after getting married but multiple versions of it. These include a ‘mini-moon’, with young newlyweds with demanding work schedules and limited vacation time opting for a short 3-4 days honeymoon to nearby destinations, followed by a 7-15 days ‘mega-moon’ later in the year!
There are also baby moons, with Indian couples taking time off to travel and celebrate quality time with each other before the birth of a baby.
Additionally, couples are also travelling to celebrate wedding anniversaries, including milestones like their 25th or 50th year of celebrations.
The data says this growth in the extended honeymoon trend is not just from the metros but also mini-metros and tier-2 and tier-3 cities, as well. Popular destinations include Andamans, Kerala and Manali within the country, while Bali in Indonesia is the number-one searched destination for an international honeymoon. Nearby popular spots also include Thailand, Maldives, and Malaysia, while long-haul champs include Switzerland (no surprises there!), France, Fiji, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Indian honeymooners are also shifting to experiential and immersive experiences—just a lovely location, or a hotel won’t do anymore. Mooners are now trying out anything from mangrove kayaking in Abu Dhabi to white/black water rafting in Rishikesh to staying in treehouses and lighthouses in California. Chocolate experience in Switzerland and cheese and wine tasting in France are also increasingly finding takers.
And no, money is no object. Thomas Cook India data shows spending can be anywhere from 80,000 for a domestic honeymoon to up to 5 lakh for an international long haul. What’s in blowing up a few lakhs when you have the rest of your life to squabble over it?
