BRITONS holidaying in Hawaii spent over $100m in the destination last year, according to the latest available statistics from the country’s convention and visitors bureau.
It forms a significant part of the overall revenue from the UK market to the islands, where only Japan outstrips Britain as the largest source of international visitors.
With the start of the new millennium year, one of its niche products – weddings and honeymoons – is set to hoist its popularity even further.
UK operators are reporting strong business in this market as demand to get married in 2000 in a faraway exotic place increases.
Julie Blissett, UK representative for the Hawaii CVB, said: “Hawaii is a tremendous place to get married and it’s not a complicated process. You pay just $25 for a wedding licence and you can get married anywhere. There is also no residency requirement.”
Tradewinds marketing manager Mark Blewittsaid: “Hawaii is selling well compared to previous years because of the wide choice of wedding locations. Some destinations just offer hotel ceremonies, whereas in Hawaii you can get married on different islands, on the beach, or in spectacular garden settings.
“One place that is proving very popular is Tantalus State Park on Oahu, where weddings can take place at sunset.”
Blewitt said the destination also provides lucrative business for agents as Tradewinds’ typical wedding party booking is for eight to 10 people, while a group of 16 is not exceptional.
He added: “The average spend is over £1,000 per person. Hawaii is more exotic than the Caribbean and is a dream wedding destination.”
Cosmos reports that the average wedding parties have doubled in size to four people per booking. Long-haul product manager David Binns said: “As an exotic destination, Hawaii is more aspirational than the Caribbean, which enjoys more of a mass-market following.”
The variety that Hawaii offers has prompted Kuoni to offer weddings on one Hawaiian island, followed by the honeymoon on another. It features a range of wedding-only packages on Waikiki, Maui or Kauai from £498 per couple, which is tagged on to flight and accommodation arrangements. There is also an Hawaii wedding cruise package costing £975 per couple for the day, including dinner, entertainment and transfers.
Hawaiian Travel Centre marketing manager Phyllida Vanstone said: “Our business for 2000 is up on last year. We offer four weddings options but clients end up booking tailor-made packages.”
British Airways Holidays has launched a Hawaii weddings section in its 2000 America programme, offering standard and deluxe packages on four islands from £439.
Specialist operator The Hawaiian Dream said if the wedding party consists of six or more going on a two-week holiday, it will pay for the basic ceremonial package or give a free four-night honeymoon stay on the island of the client’s choice.
Managing director Alan Reed said: “Hawaii is a popular choice for weddings. The year-round balmy weather allows for unforgettable outdoor settings such as by the sea, atop a mountain, and beside a waterfall in a tropical rainforest.”
The appeal of Hawaii to a younger market is also helping to boost the weddings and honeymoons business for Page and Moy.
Managing director Patrick Cherry said: “It is a superb destination for younger people and offers many sporting activities. We are doing about 200 weddings a year, with clients getting married in tropical gardens and beachfront hotel gazebos.”
Product: more than 30 resort hotels, with seven and 14-night holidays, wedding packages.
Sample price: one or two weeks at the Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas from £669 or £819 respectively, including flights.
Kuoni
Islands featured: Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Oahu and Hawaii.
Product: seven-night holidays and 14-night multi-island packages, including car hire. Weddings service.
Sample price: two-week, four-island Hawaiian Explorer with medium-class accommodation from £1,318 including inter-island and long-haul flights.
Page and Moy
Islands featured: Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, Lanai.
Product: more than 20 resort hotels, seven and 14-night inclusive packages with a third week free at some hotels. Weddings arranged. Also suggested multi-centre itineraries and holidays in the islands linked to stays on the US West Coast.
Sample price: seven nights on Oahu, three on Kauai and four on Maui from £1,329 including all flights, transfers, car hire and accommodation.
Travel 4
Islands featured: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai.
Product: four and six-day tours, excursions, more than 25 resort and airport hotels from two to five-star.
Sample price: six-day Oahu and The Big Island Experience tour from £335 twinshare.
United Vacations
Islands featured: Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Kauai, Hawaii.
Product: 40 resort hotel and lodges from two to five-star.
Sample price: four-star Outrigger Wailea Resort on Maui from £69 per person per night twinshare including breakfast. Stay five consecutive nights and receive the first night free.
Other operators
North America Travel Service, Delta Vacations, Getaway Vacations, Key To America, Virgin Holidays, Transpacific Holidays, Travelpack, Hayes and Jarvis.
British Airways Holidays
Islands: Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai.
Product: eight new hotels added to the six featured in 1999. Seven-night inclusive packages; weddings and honeymoons.
Sample price: £799 for a week at the Outrigger Prince Kuhio, near Waikiki Beach, Oahu.
Cosmos
Islands: Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai.
Product: tour and island add-ons to US itineraries.
Sample price: 15-day escorted Hawaiian Islands tour from £1,245, including flights, accommodation, tour director and excursions.
Funway Holidays
Islands featured: five islands.
Product: 26 hotels; tailor-made multi-centre holidays.
Sample price: Aston Keauhou Beach Resort on Kauai from £46 per person per night twinshare, with ex-London air fares from £499 return.
The Hawaiian Dream
Islands featured: Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Kauai, Lanai, Hawaii.
Product: 40 resort hotels and apartments, golf, adventure packages and weddings.
Sample price: one or two weeks at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Waikiki, from about £1,059 or £1,599 respectively in April, including flights.
Hawaiian Travel Centre
Islands featured: Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Maui.
Product: a range of resort hotels, inns, condominiums and villas, weddings, cruises, escorted tours, Hawaii/California two-centres, adventure holidays, activities, golf resorts and spa and fitness centres.
Sample price: 10-day adventure package including accommodation, activities and excursions costs around £600, excluding flights from London.
Jetlife
Islands featured: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii.
Product: more than 30 resort hotels, with seven and 14-night holidays, wedding packages.
Sample price: one or two weeks at the Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas from £669 or £819 respectively, including flights.
Kuoni
Islands featured: Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Oahu and Hawaii.
Product: seven-night holidays and 14-night multi-island packages, including car hire. Weddings service.
Sample price: two-week, four-island Hawaiian Explorer with medium-class accommodation from £1,318 including inter-island and long-haul flights.
Page and Moy
Islands featured: Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, Lanai.
Product: more than 20 resort hotels, seven and 14-night inclusive packages with a third week free at some hotels. Weddings arranged. Also suggested multi-centre itineraries and holidays in the islands linked to stays on the US West Coast.
Sample price: seven nights on Oahu, three on Kauai and four on Maui from £1,329 including all flights, transfers, car hire and accommodation.
Travel 4
Islands featured: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai.
Product: four and six-day tours, excursions, more than 25 resort and airport hotels from two to five-star.
Sample price: six-day Oahu and The Big Island Experience tour from £335 twinshare.
United Vacations
Islands featured: Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Kauai, Hawaii.
Product: 40 resort hotel and lodges from two to five-star.
Sample price: four-star Outrigger Wailea Resort on Maui from £69 per person per night twinshare including breakfast. Stay five consecutive nights and receive the first night free.
Other operators
North America Travel Service, Delta Vacations, Getaway Vacations, Key To America, Virgin Holidays, Transpacific Holidays, Travelpack, Hayes and Jarvis.