Niche Travel
22>>
-New trends in the The honeymoon travel & romantic getaways niche is discussing the evolution of honeymoon travel and the ANJU ANNA ALEX
A
© Vishal Hanmattekar, The Blueberry Trails
fter tying the knot with their loved one, couples yearn to have a romantic trip with their partners to celebrate their union. Though there are lots of breathtaking sites in this world, India still remains one of the most preferred destinations to the honeymooners. Weddings have always been huge and more so an exorbitant affair for Indians. Young Indian couples leave no stone unturned when it comes to planning their honeymoons. Since weddings take place all year round, honeymoon travel is considered a perennial source of income for the travel and hospitality industry and therefore is seen as a highly lucrative business. From the serene backwaters of Kerala to the quaint, princely land of Udaipur or the immensely popular Goa; India has plenty to offer for honeymooners. Vishal Hanmattekar, Co-founder & CEO, The Blueberry Trails says, “Couples nowadays are exploring various unique experiences around India - Snorkelling in the magical islands of Andamans, romantic hideaways in the beautiful mountain
Voyager’s World > July 2017
clad Sikkim, experiencing moonlit camel safaris in the deserts of Rajasthan or backwater stays and getting Ayurvedic massages in Kerala are some of the popular Indian honeymoon getaways today.” Recently, Munnar was adjudged the ‘Best Destination for Romance’ by the magazine Lonely Planet Indian Travel Awards 2017; the enchanting hill station undisputedly being the perfect backdrop to kindle romance. Because honeymoons are generally once-in-lifetime experiences, travellers tend to be reasonably accommodating when it comes to paying a premium for honeymoon travel. This is to say that most travellers are ready to splurge a little extra to indulge in luxuries during their trip. There was a time when newlyweds dreamt of travelling to iconic destinations that offered them plenty of sightseeing opportunities like Agra or Singapore or Paris. A photo by the side of the magnificent Taj Mahal or the breathtaking Eiffel Tower was a dream for many newlyweds belonging to the 80’s, 90’s era. In the recent years, couples