Saipan still lags behind as a honeymoon destination

Hawaii is still the most popular honeymoon destination among Japanese, followed by the U.S. mainland and Europe, according to a study conducted by Japan Travel Bureau.

Guam and Saipan share an average of 7.1 percent in the popularity survey of the most preferred honeymoon and overseas wedding destinations overseas made by the biggest tour operator in Japan.

The survey for the Spring season on some 2,351 couples who have signed up at major JTB sales offices in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka for their honeymoons during the period March-May, revealed that Hawaii has consistently eased out other competing destinations for the past three years with 27.3 percent.

Sales office surveys indicate that security of those who travel with the honeymooners is the key factor in overseas wedding plans. Ninety-eight percent of Japanese still prefer to take their honeymoon overseas.

The U.S. mainland placed second with a 22.4 percent as Las Vegas retained its high popularity, making it the second most popular city.

Europe remained in third place from last year where honeymooners went to the ever-popular destinations like the Swiss Alps, Greece and Aegean Sea. Some offices even reported an increase in the numbers of those heading for Portugal.

The JTB survey said there has been an increase in the number of inquiries about European weddings in castles or historic churches, which are seen to become even more popular in the future.

Swiss tours that include weddings will start in April. In Autumn, JTB expects to see a jump in the number of weddings celebrated in Europe.

Australia has also been a popular destination for honeymooners as it placed fourth in the survey, JTB said. With the attraction of Sydney 2000 Olympics, JAL Australia Campaign and the opening of the Watabe Wedding Park, the interest among Japanese is expected to grow.

Average expenditures for couple are $4,533, a drop of $390 compared to last year. Since JTB began its survey in 1983, the average expenditures of Japanese overseas dropped $4,762.
“It seems that the honeymoon market is becoming polarized between those who choose not to spend lavishly, searching for affordable honeymoons, and those who are particular over quality,” said JTB.

The study noted that more and more couples are spending less than $3,810 in their overseas honeymoon. “The present generation of young people considering marriage take overseas travel for granted, and look for the most reasonable prices so that they can travel more frequently. There seems to be rather less of the feeling that a honeymoon calls for deluxe overseas travel,” said JTB.