Honeymoons are one of the most important holidays clients will book, and finding that perfect break can be a challenging task. For today’s experience-focused traveller, getting the most out of their trip is a top priority.
In addition to those who come exclusively to the Maldives for their honeymoon, the Indian Ocean island nation has also become a popular spot amongst those who prefer multi-centre honeymoons. Combining Sri Lanka and the Maldives is a staple of the twin-centre Indian Ocean honeymoon holiday, and with good reason.
Zoe Betchley, Indian Ocean destination manager at UK-based holiday provider Hayes and Jarvis, told TTG Media that the short flight times and regular airlift between the two destinations help to make this a bestseller for the operator.
“With only an hour and a half flight on four daily services spread throughout the day, Sri Lanka and the Maldives is the perfect Indian Ocean honeymoon combination. Clients can experience the excitement of Colombo, the cultural capital of Kandy and even a safari in Yala national park before moving to the Maldives, with its choice of adults-only and premium all-inclusive offerings,” she was quoted as saying by the travel news portal.
Nikki Hain of Premier Holidays also told TTG Media that the operator has seen an increase in clients booking multi-centre honeymoons incorporating Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
She says: “Dubai is only six and a half hours away so it really breaks up the journey before flying on to Sri Lanka. Honeymooners can use it as a short city break or to relax on the beach after the wedding so they are completely prepared for an action-packed touring holiday in Sri Lanka.”
“It is also a very cost-effective way of seeing three destinations and can save clients lots of money as they’re only booking one flight route in one package rather than buying extra flights. Clients flying with Emirates can have a triple centre honeymoon to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives for almost the same flight price of a single-centre holiday in the Maldives.”
The comments by UK-based travel agents come as hotel chains such Shangri-La announces exciting combined holiday packages for Maldives and Sri Lanka.
The first package, Finding Shangri-La: Indian Ocean Island-Hopping Offer is valid until December 17, and offers guests staying a minimum of seven nights at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa to receive a three-night complimentary stay at Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort and Spa. Guests staying a minimum of four nights at the resort in Maldives will receive a one-night complimentary stay at the resort in Sri Lanka.
This latest offer will be complemented by another two-destination holiday package announced by Shangri-La late last month. At the Arabian Travel Market, which was held in Dubai from April 24-27, Shangri-La announced a package which allows guests to combine their stay in its Colombo hotel, which is set to open by the end of this year, with a retreat at its resort in the Maldives.
Maldives has won several global and regional accolades for being amongst the most romantic destinations in the world, with the latest being included in an annual list compiled by Brides magazine of the 20 most honeymoon worthy destinations in the world. Surveys and studies analysing travel trends have also shown that a healthy majority of travellers that choose the Maldives are honeymooners.