According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, a total of 59,934 international visitors came to Hawaii during the first 10 months of 2012 to get married. Even more impressively, 271,805 international honeymooners came to Hawaii during that same period. This represented a 2.5 percent increase and a 20.8 percent increase respectively as compared to the same 10 month period in 2011. While the exact numbers for how many of these marriages and honeymooners were from China have not been calculated yet, Vice President of Brand Management for the HTA, David Uchiyama, believes that there has been a significant increase. Uchiyama stated, “When you look at developing markets like Korea and China, the connection to romance is automatic and is one of the fastest-growing segments. We saw similar things happen when the Japan market was developing years ago.”
Additional direct flights from China to the Hawaiian Islands have definitely helped the market. Managing Director for BCM International, CJ Chen, stated, “More and more Chinese couples are falling in love with Hawaii and want to get married here. I’ve seen the wedding numbers grow as Hawaii has become more popular and more accessible. This market is following the Korea and Japan markets. Eventually, I think it will surpass them. Chinese couples represent a real opportunity for wedding service providers. Our numbers are only going to grow, and with that, demand for services will, too.”
TheKnot.com’s editior, Jennie Ma, agreed and stated, “The wedding industry in China is developing very quickly. Many celebrities are having weddings in beach and tropical locations, and many Chinese brides are picking up on it. We recently asked Chinese brides which destinations most appealed to them, and Hawaii was in the top five. Brides liked that it was closer to them than other destinations and that it had beautiful surf and beaches. We are seeing many brides who want a destination wedding in Hawaii, but the challenge is the visa for the couple and their wedding party and guests. It’s more a matter of getting approval and convenient flights than financial difficulties.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-16-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
