Japanese honeymoon travel up, spending down says JTB survey

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According to a survey carried out last month by leading travel agency Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) the number of overseas weddings by Japanese has increased sharply this year by 35%, but spending is down. Traditionally a major driver of shopping expenditure in Hawaii, Guam and Australia, the number of Japanese overseas weddings has increased to over 20% of the total with 80% domestic. In terms of honeymoons 98% are taken overseas and 2% are domestic.

Meanwhile the average honeymoon expenditure per couple has decreased by 8.4% to $3,633 since Spring 2000. There has also been a shift in the most popular destinations although Hawaii retains top position accounting for 57% of the total followed by the US mainland (particularly Las Vegas) and Europe (particularly Italy). Over half of European honeymoons are round-trip tours that include Italy. Guam, Maui Island and Saipan all moved up the rankings of the most-popular destinations indicating the popularity of near Japan holidays and shorter trips.

Destinations achieving the highest growth of Japanese honeymoon travel compared to 2000 for the 2,679 couples surveyed were: Hawaii (up 6.7%), Guam/Saipan (up 4.1%) and Asia (up 1.4%).