Money-making tips

Ask about organising travel for other members of the wedding party. According to operators, the size of wedding parties travelling to the Caribbean is growing, with eight people being the average number and occasionally extending to as many as 100 people. Some hotels offer their wedding packages free of charge when a certain number of room nights are booked. For example, the Inn at English Harbour in Antigua, waives its $600 wedding charge when 28 room nights or more are booked. So the more friends and relatives that take part in the celebrations, the better.
Sell excursions. Although most excursions in the Caribbean are booked locally and paid for in resort, there are some that can be pre-booked and commission earned. In Barbados, for example, the Atlantis Submarine Excursion, sold by Tradewinds for around £50 per person, is an unforgettable treat for newlyweds.
Don’t forget to offer upgrades on the flights. It isn’t difficult to encourage wedding or honeymoon couples to splash out extra for their big trip by upgrading on the flight. Besides the schedule airlines, Excel Airways, a charter carrier currently operating to Tobago, Grenada and St Kitts, has three classes, with Excel One claiming to rival BA’s business class standards but costing a fraction of the price.
Remember the add-ons. It’s worth suggesting airport lounge access if the couple is not upgrading and private car transfers to and from the airport, at home and in the Caribbean. Private helicopter transfers are available on arrival in some destinations. On St Lucia, Thomas Cook offers helicopter flights for £80 per person one way, from the international airport to the Jalousie Hilton.
Recommend the couple splash out on the honeymoon suite. This is a once in a lifetime trip and suggesting the couple upgrade to the best possible room is often appreciated. Encouraging clients to move meal plan from bed and breakfast to all-inclusive or half-board is another way to boost commission.