(photo by Jamie Lihan for Imagine Nation Photography)

An article appearing recently in Express TravelWorld says there is a growing market in Destination Weddings among Indian nationals.  It notes that Thailand attracts one of the highest number of Indian weddings annually.  And the Philippines, having hosted two Indian wedding in Cebu last year, also has potential for growth especially as Philippine Airlines launches direct flights between Manila and Delhi by March 2011.

Below is an excerpt from the article ‘I do’ on distant shores by Sudipta Dev:

Indian weddings get bigger and fatter, destination weddings have become an aspiration for the new generation of millionaires in the country. Though an emerging segment, the high returns is leading international tourism boards, airlines and hotels to concentrate on targeting this niche market.

For an industry that is estimated to be worth `1,90,000 crore and growing at an aggressive rate of 25 per cent per annum, Indian weddings is a behemoth market segment that has been spurred by the spending powers of high net worth individuals who are growing in numbers by the day.  As Indian weddings get fatter and bigger, the aspirational values also reach a highpoint – in the last five years, or so, the craze for having elaborate destination weddings overseas has led to a lot of activity in wedding travel front. Considered as a high-end tourism product, international tourism boards, airlines and hotels are proactively wooing this segment and laying out the red carpet to get a share of the pie.  From locations that span across nearby Thailand and Sri Lanka to the French Riviera and Morocco, Indian weddings are literally going places, and how.

Interestingly, destination weddings organized overseas is not just a trend of displaying opulence and reaffirmation of status, but as many industry experts argue, actually a value for money proposition– as the guest lists gets smaller and more exclusive, the cost of organizing a wedding at a five-star hotel in Thailand or Malaysia might actually prove to be more cost-effective than holding it in India.

The Philippines is yet another recently discovered destination that has emerged on the wedding map for Indians – the long haul notwithstanding.  Shilpa Sethi, general manager, Philippine Tourism, acknowledges that destinations in Philippines are being considered for weddings, especially Cebu, which was host to two Indian weddings in 2010. “Philippine Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights from March 2011.  This will be an added advantage for tapping the wedding segment as the wedding travelers prefer to fly by a direct flight. We are working on the approach on how to tap this market,” says Sethi.  The Philippine Tourism has also been promoting Boracay and Cebu as the ideal honeymooners destinations.

Wedding tourism is one of the major focuses of Thunderbird Resorts that has two properties in Philippines - in the highland oasis of Binangonan, Rizal and the peninsula of Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union.  According to Fabio Moretti, country manager, Thunderbird Resorts Philippines, Indians going to the Philippines for their weddings will feel ‘at home’ and yet experience a different and unique type of celebration. “The growing local wedding industry can provide couples with wide-ranged services and products fit for their preferences. We have creatively and meticulously prepared great wedding packages that would tailor-fit to the needs and wishes of couples. Those who have celebrated their weddings at the resort have given us commendations for the personalized service from our team,” adds Moretti. [FULL ARTICLE]

An article in Philippine Star noted that destination weddings have become very popular for the Indian community in the country as their relatives from all over the world fly into the host country to bond with loved ones and enjoy the wedding as well as the tourist attractions.  It is also a venue for youngsters to meet, party and discover that special someone and maybe fall in love. As the Fil-Indian community grows, in spite of being very modern and cosmopolitan, many of the youth retain their “desi” spirit and opt for a traditional wedding.  [source]

For wedding suppliers keen on tapping this growth market, here’s an overview on Indian weddings.  To see the grandeur and colorful festivities in an Indian wedding, watch this onsite video by Wang Videography shot in Cebu last year.

(via Manila Bulletin) Cebu’s bid to become the “Wedding Capital of Asia” got a big boost after the Chinese tourism agency described it as the “Best Honeymoon Destination” at the World Trade Fair 2010 in Shanghai, China.

“Being recognized as the best honeymoon destination says a lot about the beauty of Cebu, especially the beaches, resorts, and hotels,” said Department of Tourism (DoT) Senior Adviser Phineas Alburo in an interview Saturday.

Alburo raised optimism that the award will result in more honeymooners going to Cebu, especially foreign tourists who are on the lookout for an affordable wedding and honeymoon destination on a tropical island.

“Cebu has emerged from just being a beach destination. Being proclaimed as a honeymoon destination is a big step to luring more foreigners here. When these couples chose to wed here, they would surely bring their families,” said Mila Espina, who chairs the tourism advocacies of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In a statement to Manila Bulletin, the DoT said that Cebu was named as the “Best Honeymoon Destination” at the World Trade Fair 2010 in Shanghai, China, this week, which gathered about 500 trade buyers from tourism association, outbound travel agencies, and tour operators.

The win was declared after a public vote and a strict evaluation process undertaken by professional jurors from the Shanghai Tourism Municipal Administration, VNU Exhibitions Asia, and Shanghai International Conference Management Organization.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano welcomed the award as a well-deserved tribute to the country’s very own “Queen City of the South”.

“As the second most visited destination in the country, next to Metro Manila, Cebu continues to draw more people to add to the 435, 987 tourists whom it posted in this year’s first quarter. We are not surprised that more and more travelers, especially couples, are finding its pristine white beaches, romantic resorts, and breathtaking views, coupled with the innate warmth and friendliness of our locals, a perfect treat for their honeymoon,” he said.

At present, Cebu enjoys a steady influx of travelers, with top markets including Korea (28 percent), Japan (23 percent), USA (10 percent), and China (6 percent).

Apart from Cebu’s attractive sites and diverse excursion activities, Durano also cited the country’s competitive tour pricing and the continuous development of the transportation sector as influential drivers of tourism growth in the island-province.

Arlene Alipio, head of DoT Team China, shared that charter flights from Shanghai to Cebu and Boracay have helped spur inbound travel growth to Cebu.

Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr. expressed enthusiasm and pride over the recent award bagged by the country, calling it “an affirmation of the country’s world-class tourist spots and its unfailing efforts to reach out to new markets”.

Shanghai-based Philippine Tourism Attaché to China Gerry Panga, said, “The Philippines has increasingly become a choice destination among its Asian neighbors, as well as the world, owing to the relentless programs and campaigns that allow travelers to discover and fully appreciate our islands.”

While total China outbound travel grew only by 3 to 4 percent in 2009, outbound travel from Eastern China to the Philippines has been growing at an average rate of 40 percent in terms of visa issuance since the opening of the new Philippine Tourism Office in 2007, the DoT said.

Mount Pulag is the highest peak in Luzon. The borders between the highland provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya meet at this mountain’s peak.

Depending on the trail, a climb may take between one to four days.

Raymond Fortun spent two nights in this mountain for the prenup shoot of Toto & Janine who are both adventure travelers.  Needless to say, those two nights also meant having to sleep on hard bare ground in freezing temperatures.

Here’s one shot atop the mountain’s grassland summit of the couple’s backpacks that seem to look out towards the sea of clouds.

• To view the rest of the set, head on to Raymond Fortun’s multiply album.
• For the photographer’s account of this prenup trek, read his notes: The Challenges of a Mountain Shoot.

(via philstar.com) MANILA, Philippines - Asia’s popular celebrity singer, Fish Leong, and businessman Tony Chao recently tied the knot in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.

A result of the aggressive and extensive promotional efforts by the Department of Tourism (DOT), highlighting country’s pristine beaches as premier wedding destinations, DOT’s Romantic Philippines campaign has lured couples to put the country in their wedding wish lists.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano says, “We continue to highlight the country’s position as a desired location for weddings, and this helps boost our specialized segments, also benefiting local businesses, generating income from a constantly flourishing market.”

He adds, “People will not hesitate to invest their resources in the one of the most important events of their lives, also expecting nothing less but the most romantic, most memorable, top-notch location.  The Philippines offers that and more.”

Some 50 Taiwanese tourists including the family and relatives of Fish and Tony flew all the way from Canada and Taipei to Boracay to witness the wedding rites in Discovery Shores. The event was also attended by some Taiwanese media from leading newspapers in Taiwan including the Singapore-based Vogue Magazine.

Fish Leong, also known as Leong Chui Pen, is a sought-after music artist in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, with all her albums landing the bestseller list in the East Asia region.

“For about a year Tony and I have been traveling from one country to another and have seen a lot of amazing places, breathtaking views and serene beaches, met a lot of people and covered a lot of destination weddings, but it is the beach that is the closest to our hearts,” she said.

She shared when asked about their choice for a wedding destination, “We didn’t have a hard time choosing. Both of us agreed, ‘Where else but in the beautiful island of Boracay, Philippines’? It is indeed the most perfect place to tie the knot. There is something about the island that makes everyone feel at home.”

The solemn wedding rites facing the beautiful sunset of Boracay was proceeded by an intimate reception at a wedding tent in front of Discovery Shores, especially customized for the affair.

Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr., who heads DOT Planning and Promotions, said, “Our facilities, venues, event planners and organizers, are all ready to welcome those who will celebrate this momentous occasion. We aim to further tap this niche market through offering more programs and packages through our partners.”

World-class entertainment for the guests at the reception was given by Iloilo’s pride, the Gerry Gray Jazz Band, which played the couple’s favorite romantic songs. The simple yet elegant wedding rite has attracted several onlookers and foreign tourists to the resorts to feel the romantic ambience in the beach front.

According to Amanda Tirol, an expert in planning beach destination weddings, the average number (of beach weddings) in Boracay is 200 per year, which includes small to big weddings. Majority of the foreign clients come from Australia, the US, Singapore and Hong Kong and also quite a number from Europe.

She said, “The best time for a beach wedding in Boracay is from January up to the middle of May because of the cool northeast wind or the so-called amihan season,” characterized by moderate temperatures with little or no rainfall and a prevailing wind from the east.

Boracay has become a popular beach wedding destination for both local and foreign couples because of its accessibility and value-for-money packages. Direct flights from Taipei to Kalibo by Philippine Airlines and China Airlines continue to boost tourist activity in the island, as well as Manila-Caticlan flights via SEAIR, Asian Spirit and Cebu Pacific.

Numerous activity choices in Boracay like water sports, snorkeling, shopping, spa and wellness retreats, and beach parties, also include the list of top draw cards to the area.

In last weekend’s edition of the Inquirer, wedding photographer Patrick Uy was featured in an article which retold his experience when he was invited to photograph the coronation of the king of Bhutan in words and pictures. 

Here’s an excerpt:

Patrick Uy is a name synonymous with weddings. Since the early ’90s when Patrick began a photography career, his services have been in high demand.

He has photographed many celebrity weddings, including those of Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, Jackie Ejercito and Beaver Lopez, and those of Mikey and Dato Arroyo, sons President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In November 2008, Patrick added yet another feather to his cap when he was invited to photograph the Bhutan king’s coronation. With wife Evelyn and colleagues John Tronco and Philip Santos, he went to Bhutan to document the festivities.

Patrick said that the journey to Bhutan actually began in a wedding in Boracay. Fellow photographer John Tronco shot photographs for the Vietnamese groom who, it turned out, was a good friend of Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. In time came the invitation to “shoot” the enthronement ceremony.

“It was part of our karma that our weekend was free – that same weekend of the coronation. So off we went, for the shoot of a lifetime!” said Patrick. [READ MORE…]