How Travel Advisors Can Prepare for a Flurry of Holiday Marriage Proposals

While the holidays are traditionally a popular time for couples to get engaged, the season might yield even more proposals this year, as plans put on hold during the pandemic find new promise with the approach of 2022. Prepare for a flurry of requests regarding destination weddings and honeymoons by joining forces with a collection of resorts that has devoted itself to celebrating love - RIU Hotels & Resorts. Following are just a few reasons why RIU can help you make your couples' hearts soar.

Hosting over 3,000 weddings a year, primarily at its all-inclusive beachfront properties in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, RIU prides itself on understanding the needs of a wide variety of brides and grooms, without ever letting the events become routine. Onsite wedding coordinators at each property are available to guide you and your clients through the many options on offer. They will help with adding personal touches and will make the booking process a breeze.

Your couples have a wide selection of beachside wedding destinations with RIU, including beautiful sites in Aruba, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Panama and on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Mexico. Help them pick one that best suits their personalities and interests. Perhaps they would like Aruba's sunny desert climate by the sea, or the legendary nightlife and cultural vibrancy of the Bahamas, or Costa Rica's lush green landscape brimming with flowers and wildlife, or the luxury of Los Cabos, or the archaeological treasures and mysticism of the Riviera Maya - there are plenty more choices.

Once a couple has their hearts set on a destination, they often will find a selection of several properties from its Riu Classic and/or Riu Palace all-inclusive brands. All of them are beautifully designed and perfect for accommodating groups in a variety of relaxing settings - from outdoor terraces to bars and lounges to swimming pools - where everyone can easily socialize before and after the Big Day. And the couple doesn't have to worry about logistics and keeping friends and family occupied. Nighttime entertainment and many daytime activities are included, and some properties offer unlimited access to Splash Water World with its array of waterslides.

This might be an important decision for your couple when selecting a resort for a wedding. Most of RIU's resort destinations offer both, and each has its benefits. The adult-only resorts have designed all their activities for guests 18 years of age and older. Romantic dinners on the beach, al fresco massages and activities like kayaking, windsurfing, catamaran rides and beach volleyball are features to look for - whether the couple is planning to spend time at the resort before and/or after their Big Day, either by themselves or with friends. If a couple has friends or family members with young children, they might wish to consider a family-friendly property where little ones can be entertained by staff at RIU's popular kids club, RiuLand, giving their parents time to socialize.

To help simplify the planning process, RIU offers five wedding collections from Free to Indulgence, each designed around a color theme for the décor and offering different inclusions. The Free collection doesn't require a room minimum and offers all the basics a couple needs to celebrate their wedding with a small group of loved ones: a wedding setup, bouquet(s)/boutonniere(s), semi-private dinner at one of the property's restaurants, wedding cake, sparkling wine toast and romantic room decorations on the wedding night. The most inclusive experience is the Indulgence collection, which, in addition to the foregoing amenities, offers a six-hour private event comprising the ceremony, a cocktail hour and a private four-hour reception. On-site wedding planners can help with arrangements and adding personal touches.

Even though no one can predict the precise trajectory of COVID, warm-weather, roomy resorts that are well-supervised generally offer respite from worry. RIU itself follows sensible health protocols and strict cleaning procedures, which can be found on its website. Outdoor events are generally considered to be much safer than indoor ones, and RIU's properties not only offer these but also allow guests an ample amount of space for their activities.

In terms of convenience and savings, all-inclusive resorts make excellent sense when planning destination weddings. Of course, travel advisors also get called upon to help set up wedding proposals, honeymoons and romantic getaways, as well as business meetings, family reunions and milestone events like retirement parties and anniversaries. And these events don't necessarily need to be held at an all-inclusive. Among its three brands, RIU has an array of properties throughout the world, from San Francisco and New York City to Madrid and Gran Canaria to Dubai to the Maldives, that might be just the right fit for your clients' needs. Learn more about the many possibilities by enrolling in the Riu Specialist program sponsored by Travel Agent Academy at riuspecialist.com.