Jessica: Hi Marilyn, I am so excited about the MAC Awards. Thank you so much for being a part of them. Ask Me About Destination Weddings is sponsoring a great prize for participating travel agents. Can you tell me a little bit about it? I hear it's at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa!
Marilyn: We as well are very excited to support the 1st Annual MAC Awards. Our prize giveaway will take the winning agent to our featured hotel partner, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in simply beautiful, St. Lucia. This resort happens to be one of our most pro-active hotel partners and I must say, they understand and value the importance of a travel agent - which is why it was a 'no brainer' for them to say YES to the prize giveaway. This casually Caribbean and incredibly all-inclusive beachfront resort is set on the southern coast of St. Lucia - literally just 5-minutes from the Hewanorra Intl Airport and offers all-inclusive amenities and facilities for singles, couples and families - truly a value that can't be beat for the island of St. Lucia.
Jessica: Destination Weddings are becoming more and more popular. What do you think attributes to the increased popularity of destination weddings?
Marilyn: We believe it has to do with the current generation of Eco Boomers,which represent the largest demographic for destination weddings. The median age stands at 26 for today's bride and 27 for grooms. And, between 2007- 2012, the number of people turning 27 will grow by a third as the Eco Boomers become of age. This demographic will comprise two out of every three brides by 2012. What makes this younger generation of Eco Boomers so unique is their sheer numbers and demand for the out-of-the-ordinary experience. This younger generation wants all the benefits of a traditional ceremony, yet with the adventure aspect added to the experience. Hence the main reason why destination weddings is on the up and up. And of course, we all know destination weddings are much more cost effective than a wedding back home -so couples can still tie the knot and have some funds left over to start a new life together when they return from their honeymoon.
Jessica: Tell me a little bit about Ask Me About Destination Weddings and how travel agents can join?
Marilyn: Ask Me was founded on its dedication to the destination wedding & honeymoon market - a $10 Billion niche market. We recognize that the strongest distribution channel > any hotelier or travel supplier can have, is the support of the travel agent community - and that is our main focus - to help travel agents grow their business in this lucrative niche. Our strategy is as simple as 1-2-3;
1 - To provide travel agents with MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES to grow their business;
2 - To provide travel agents with PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE and ammunition to close a sale; and
3 - To provide travel agents with a RESERVATION CENTER for all of their romance travel needs
Simply put - we want travel agents to work smarter, not harder!
Jessica: Which destinations can I choose from for my wedding?
Marilyn: While a bride/groom can choose to tie the knot anywhere in the world, we focus primarily on the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.
Jessica: Are there any current special offers you would like to share with travel agents?
Marilyn: Coconut Bay is currently running some great promotions - for example; clients can save up to 55%, plus earn a resort credit for each night of their stay, which they can use while on property towards the spa, gift shop or tour desk. They also have the 'more the merrier' promotion where you buy 3 rooms get the 4th one free and there's even a promotion for grandparents to travel FREE. For more information, simply call 877-352-8898. Also, Ask Me is hosting several Live & Learn (FAM) trips this summer to Coconut Bay/St. Lucia, as well as to Mexico and Jamaica in the fall. We are looking for 10 pro-active agents to join us on what will surely be an educational, informative and fun experience. Agents interested in participating can call our office at 877-44-ASK ME for further details.
Thank you Marilyn for taking time to share more about Ask Me About Destination Weddings with us.
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