Couples splashing out on luxury honeymoons in 2021 after Covid cancellations

Thousands of couples are splashing out on more luxurious honeymoons in 2021 after many weddings were cancelled this year, new figures suggest.

Travel firm Kuoni said customers are spending an average of £8,247 per booking for honeymoons taking place next year, up £530 on 2019.

Many couples with an extra 12 months to save for their trip because of the pandemic are giving themselves treats such as upgraded flights and rooms, helicopter transfers and hot air balloon rides, according to the company.

Kuoni is recording strong demand for remote retreats, villas with private pools and tented camps in Africa.

It is also seeing a spike in the number of couples booking a break immediately after their wedding ceremony either within the UK or to a short-haul destination, followed by a long-haul trip in the next one or two years.

In July, the coronavirus pandemic led Kuoni to begin offering video appointments for customers booking honeymoons.

Stacey Owens, one of Kuoni’s honeymoon experts, described how it has been “an emotional time” for many couples.

“They’ve had the huge disappointment that their wedding plans aren’t going ahead and at times we’ve all been in tears,” she said.

“We’ve pulled out all the stops to help couples with their plans.”

The firm’s chief executive Derek Jones said: “We’ve helped change honeymoon plans for doctors, nurses and key workers. Our flexible approach has been welcomed at a really stressful time.

“A honeymoon is still the most important holiday of a couple’s life and the signs are that despite the turmoil in travel, people are still determined to adapt their wedding and honeymoon plans within the guidelines so we’ve booked all sorts of last-minute trips closer to home.

“But there’s no doubt that the romance of travel is alive and well, and the lure of the wonders of the world is still as strong as it ever was.”