The Maldives has remained the most popular destination in the Kuoni Longhaul Report, despite not allowing non-Muslims to be married there.
Kuoni head of product Wendy Kenneally said the destination maintained its position in the annual report, which lists the operator’s top-selling destinations, as couples can renew their vows there. It is also the operator’s most popular destination with honeymooning couples.
Thailand has also fought off competition to hold its second place despite the political unrest which saw rioters close down Bangkok airport over the Christmas period.
Kenneally added: “Thailand started off very strongly and was good to mid-year. However, what had started as a promising year ended in protests.”
Kenneally added the situation in Thailand appears to have calmed down and customers are once again being drawn to it largely thanks to the value on offer once they have arrived.
America has taken third place from Egypt thanks to an increase in weekend breaks with New York and Las Vegas proving particularly strong while Egypt came fourth largely due to the fact it is a mid-haul destination.
Kenneally added Sri Lanka moved in to the top five of the operator’s Longhaul Report despite ongoing fighting between the country’s government and the Tamil Tigers.
She said this had been driven by the fact that Sri Lanka remains the most popular wedding destination and the second most popular honeymoon destination.