Why Visit Riviera Maya, Mexico?

Posted on April 11, 2019 by Virtual Honeymoon

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Let me start of by saying, I simply love Mexico! Mexico is a vibrant, beautiful country filled with friendly people, rich in culture and has a dynamic energy that makes you have a real zest for life. Riviera Maya is a beautiful destination south of Cancun. It has some of Mexico’s best beaches and plenty of options for eco-tourism and reserves and adventure parks. When visiting Riviera Maya, you can view phenomenal architecture, and taste delicious food. I mean who doesn’t love Mexican food right? And of course, there’s Tequila and Mezcal! You really can’t go wrong with either of these. Did you know that Riviera Maya is one of the best destinations for diving and snorkeling? The Caribbean waters make it great to see and enjoy the tropical fish, coral reefs and you can even swim with the whale sharks.

eldorado maroma

If you are looking for a great vacation destination, Riviera Maya should be at the top of the list. There are some fantastic resort options you can enjoy during your stay. If you are considering an all-inclusive vacation option where you never have to leave the resort, Riviera Maya has many options that can appeal to almost everyone! For those interested in a family vacation there are some great family resort options for families, adult only, groups or romantic getaway you can choose from so many resorts. There are also options for those who are very interested in eco-tourism as well as resorts and eco parks that support the Go Green initiatives to support wildlife and nature conversation. Riviera Maya really does have everything to fit your vacation needs.

Generations resort

A helpful tidbit is to try to learn a few helpful phrases in Spanish. Many people speak some English in the resort, but learning a few words such as Gracias, which means Thank You, Hola, which means Hello and Da Nada which means Your Welcome, can help break the ice during your time in Mexico. Whether visitors want to visit the Mayan ruins, experience the true beauties of nature, water parks or the bustling nightclubs of Riviera Maya has so many great options for visitors to experience that can help you enjoy your Mexican getaway.

Palifitos
By Michelle Scott from Indulgence Travel

Special needs travel

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Virtual Honeymoon

Special needs is a growing problem when traveling. Having a family member with special needs can be incredibly difficult. Not only can your daily routine be affected, but it can also affect relationships, education, employment, and life skills. Many times, the caregiver or family member, can feel overwhelmed. I have spoken to many family members who feel like they can’t take a vacation with their entire family. I’m here to tell you that it’s possible!
Traveling with a family member who has special needs will require a different planning process than the typical family. Will the family member be able to handle an airplane, train, or boat ride? How long of an airplane ride will they be comfortable with? Where is the destination? Is it inside domestic or international and will a passport be required? If a family member with special needs requires additional attention or considerations, will I be able to have a break? How can I prepare my family member for this trip?
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has been trained for special needs through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), meaning they are certified as being autism-friendly. Their kid’s program staff has been trained in autism-awareness, they have additional features for these family’s that include priority boarding and disembarkation, special movie screenings that are sensory-friendly, a toy exchange program, and an accommodating staff onboard. They have cruises that leave from Galveston, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, and many other locations.
Beaches Resorts is one of my favorite destinations for families with special needs. They are the set of family friendly resort related to the Sandals Resorts that are adult-only. They have also been certified through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), but their entire staff of the facility has gone through this training. They are an all-inclusive resort, so the room, food, tips, entertainment, kid’s program, and airport transportation are all included in the cost. Their resorts are located in Jamaica – in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril. What I like the best about the Beaches Resorts is the fact that they also offer one-to-one buddy services. It’s not only for children, but it’s also for adults! All of these “buddies” have been trained in working with people who have special needs. So, if your family member who has special needs is an adult, you have the chance for respite and time to yourself during this vacation as well. The cost starts at $7 an hour and it’s offered 24 hours a day. If you have more than one family member with special needs or want to travel in a group, they have plenty of buddies available. They are also wheelchair accessible, including the beach.
If you have a family member with limited mobility, there are companies that offer equipment rental. This can range from wheelchair or scooter rentals, to a hospital bed or lift system, to oxygen equipment and dialysis equipment. These rentals are available on almost any cruise, many domestic destinations, and some international destinations. You don’t have to let a limitation stop you from traveling!

For more information about accessible travel or traveling with special needs, contact:
Erica Ryan
SuiteTravels707, an affiliate of CruiseOne.
707-314-0110
e.ryan@cruiseone.com
www.SuiteTravels707.com
www.facebook.com/SuiteTravels707

Maldives: Escape to Paradise

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Virtual Honeymoon

The Maldives is a small tropical Asian country that is comprised of 26 natural atolls in the Indian Ocean and is located just south of India and Sri Lanka.
These atolls are made up of more than a thousand coral islands.

Are you looking for that escape to paradise for your honeymoon or “just because” romantic getaway? The Maldives has beaches that have been untouched and would be a getaway beach destination unlike any other.
Can you imagine these soft, white-sand beaches and the beautiful crystal-clear blue waters, and being on an island alone with your partner?

The Maldives provides a romantic honeymoon destination for couples on their honeymoon, or on a “just because” romantic getaway to celebrate one another.

Enjoying time together, without the hustle and bustle of distracting tourists, taking in and enjoying the real natural beauty. There are many things to do and explore in the Maldives; from exciting water sports activities to couple’s massages at an exotic spa, to the fascinating explorations of underwater life.

Aside from just laying back and enjoying this paradise full of peace and tranquility, there are many things you can do in the Maldives.

* The Maldives has an abundance of beautiful coral reefs and marine life. Take time to enjoy a diving or snorkeling adventure and snorkel alongside whale sharks, sea turtles, and manta rays, all while taking in the beauty of the reefs and other marine life.

*Go on a dolphin-watching excursion. The dolphins in the Maldives can be active and playful; a fun show to watch

* The Maldives is excellent for stand-up paddle boarding. The waters are shallow and calm, perfect for paddle boarding!

*Treat yourself to a Balinese massage at your resort’s spa. Enjoy the peace and tranquility in paradise!

*Experience an Underwater Spa or Restaurant.

* The Maldives has more to offer than the sand, sun, and sea. You can also visit their capital city, Male’. Here, you can visit the Sultan’s Palace, the fish market, experience their culture & heritage, and authentic restaurants. You can also go island hopping and experience how Maldivians live.

*Most of all, enjoy the privacy, isolation, and relaxation of your escape to paradise with your partner!

Let’s not forget about choosing that perfect resort for your stay in the Maldives. There are many top luxurious resorts to choose from.

Here are a few you may enjoy:
The Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives is situated on the exotic island of Emboodhu Finolhu. This resort offers beautiful ocean-view villas, and overwater suites. Take a 15-minute speedboat ride from the airport to this idyllic resort surrounded by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is a beautiful escape for a romantic getaway or honeymoon.

If you love diving, Fushifaru Maldives is an ideal resort for your trip, located in Lhaviyani Atoll.
Fushifaru is a relatively new resort which opened in 2017. This resort also offers beautiful
beach-view and water villas. Expect to enjoy excellent facilities and excellent customer service.

Are looking for that most intimate and secluded island? The Outrigger Konotta Maldives
Resort, located within the crystal waters of the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, offers you the ultimate in
privacy. This resort offers you the perfect place to unwind and enjoy your partner. Indulge in an
intimate and luxurious holiday in an overwater villa or beach villa, while also enjoying top-notch
spa services and beautiful, high-quality infinity pools.

The Maldives offers you an ultimate escape with your loved one. Plan your romantic getaway or
honeymoon to the ultimate paradise destination, the Maldives.

For more information on planning your honeymoon or romantic getaway in the Maldives,
Contact: Cami Collison at Shore Travel.

Unsure of your destination for your getaway, click on the link below to take our fun quiz and
find your perfect destination based on your travel preferences.

Island of Maui

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Virtual Honeymoon

The island of Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands with a population of just over 117,000. Maui has a thriving tourism industry and is one of the most popular islands to visit, featuring alluring attractions like the massive Haleakala volcano, the bustling whaler village of Lahaina, the magnificent humpback whales, the infamous stretch of road to Hana and its numerous family-friendly resorts and inviting white-sand beaches. Maui is also the largest island within Maui County, which is comprised of three other islands: Lana`i, Kaho`olawe, and Moloka`i.

Quick Facts:
Climate:
Year-round temperatures range between 70-90° F with 50% humidity, generally cooler in higher elevations

Top Maui Island Picks

Road to Hana – A meandering drive on the road to Hana, a classic Hawaiian small town, is full of hairpin turns, one-lane bridges and breathtaking island views.Pools of Oheo – A series of seven beautiful pools fed by waterfalls.Iao Valley State Park – Visit the 1,200-foot Iao Needle or hike in the 4,000-acre valley.

Haleakala National Park – Go on an excursion to the “House of the Sun”, an active but non-erupting volcano.

Molokini – A small island just off the southern coast of Maui creates a paradise for snorkelers and divers looking for beautiful coral and tropical fish.

Whale watching – Calm, clear, shallow waters create the perfect environment to attract whales during the winter season (December – May). Visitors will find a variety of options for whale watching experiences departing from Lahaina which can be followed by a visit to the town’s shops, art galleries and restaurants.

Go to a luau – Rich with Hawaiian history, the shores of Maui are the perfect setting to experience a traditional luau, including a main course cooked in the earth accompanied by live music and a hula dance sharing Hawaii’s stories.

Golfer’s paradise – With 14 courses to choose from and several options falling onto various best course lists, golfers can tee off near ancient lava flows, palms trees or an ocean mist.

Upcountry – Paniolos, also known as Hawaiian cowboys, spent their time in the small Upcountry town of Makawao, where you’ll find famous cream puffs at T. Komoda Store in addition to other boutiques and galleries. While in Upcountry, make a stop at Maui Wine for a tour and tasting – we recommend the pineapple wine.

The day trip to Molokini is a must. The snorkeling is fabulous!

Home to nearly 250 species of tropical fish, Molokini is one of the top ten dive sites in the world. Snorkeling at Molokini crater is truly a unique oppourtunity as there are only 3 volcanic calderas including Molokini in the entire world.

I Was there is January and the mother whales were teaching their babies life lessons. What a treat to see a baby whale learn to dive! They were breaching, just having a wonderful time. The best part, we sat on the beach to watch them! Take a trip to HaleakalaFor a sunrise view and a bike ride down the volcano. Or you can do what I did, and to at sunset. 4:00 AM is too early for me. Beautiful. If to go up at sunset, be sure to go to Mama’s fish house. Exceptional seafood. The menu will tell you who caught your dinner, and the boat involved. On the waterfront. Pricy, but well worth the trip.

The Iao Valley State park is very lush and may be a bit foggy. There is an entrance fee, but you can drive in a bit for the beautiful views.

You must go to Lahaina, the major tourist area. The cruise ships stop here. A lot of restaurants, casual and upscale. I can be very crowded, but there is a local bus that gives free transportation, or your hotel may do it.

If you are a member of a yacht club, bring your card, and have dinner at the Lahaina Yacht Club. Over the water, for a wonder sunset!
Any time is good to visit Maui. It can be windy especially in the winter months.

Your special day deserves a special place and Maui provides an idyllic setting for the wedding of your dreams. Whether you’re planning a casual beach wedding on the shores of West Maui or a lavish ceremony in a five-diamond resort in Wailea, Maui meets every expectation.

You’ll find an impressive list of venues and resources, and expert wedding planners will attend to your every need. Nothing is spared to make sure your special day turns out exactly as you imagined. So let Maui’s specialists take care of the details so you can concentrate on what matters most: each other. Learn more about Maui wedding photographers, planners and venues.

Written by Claudia Augustson of Riviera Vacations

For more information on Maui or any Hawaiian Island getaway, contact Claudia Augustson @ rivieravac@cox.net

Don’t know where to go on your next getaway? Find your Destination match here

VR videos helping agents close sales

Posted on January 19, 2019 by Virtual Honeymoon

A growing number of travel advisers are reporting that virtual reality (VR) is helping them close sales more often and faster, and several said they’re considering ways to put the technology in their clients’ hands with branded headsets to make it more accessible.

“You know, you can talk up a resort, you can talk up a destination, but letting them experience it for themselves like they’re really there gets them very excited about trips,” said Michele Botnick, owner of Lucky N Love Travel in Roswell, N.M.

Botnick is among the agents using a product developed by Virtual Honeymoon, a company owned by former agent Robin Hawkey, who created a set of interactive, online quizzes to help clients narrow their preferred destinations.

The service now offers quizzes for honeymoons, vacations, anniversary trips and weddings (including venue matching). Agents who sign up for the service also get access to VR content for which Hawkey partners with a Canadian company, Explor VR.

A number of Hawkey’s agent clients, including Botnick, have begun bringing VR headsets powered by smartphones to bridal shows. They have prospective clients take Virtual Honeymoon’s quiz, which takes into account personal preferences and budgets to determine two recommended destinations. They then showcase one or both destinations on the VR headset.

“It literally is doubling their sales,” Hawkey said. “They are closing sales quicker, and it gets the clients really excited.”

Hawkey has seen agents’ use of VR increase in the past year or so, a trend she attributed to the increasing quality and affordability of headsets.

VR has existed in some form for decades, but the market for headsets designed for consumer use has exploded in recent years. At first, headsets required expensive computers to run, but versions that utilize a smartphone have become very common.

Some cost less than $20, among them the Google Cardboard, a smartphone-powered headset. Sets that run off smartphones range in price and quality.

Newer entrants even run as standalone systems, not requiring a smartphone. Among those is the Oculus Go (starting at $200). Higher-end headsets requiring the use of a computer cost hundreds of dollars for the headset alone.

Companies in the retail travel space have been experimenting with VR in recent years. For example, Virtuoso several years ago beta-tested the use of high-end headsets in member agencies. The consortium found that interest varied greatly among members, and VR efforts are now member-driven.

One of those interested members is Direct Travel. Vicky DiMichele, digital marketing manager of leisure at the agency is Willoughby, Ohio, said it plans to introduce VR this year using Oculus Go headsets.

Guests viewing content from Virtual Honeymoon at a bridal show.

The idea is to place headsets in offices with walk-in leisure business. She would showcase videos from suppliers but is also considering creating her own VR content, especially from familiarization or adviser-incentive trips. That could also be useful for agents, DiMichele said.

Largay Travel of Waterbury, Conn., another Virtuoso agency, was an early tester of using high-end headsets in agencies, but Scott Largay, director of marketing, said the agency ran into issues with content development.

The agency was attempting to create its own content and app, but Largay said he found that limits to the amount and quality of content “was very restrictive to what we were looking to do.”

Companies producing VR content weren’t able to produce the caliber of content Largay wanted, he said, and those that could were “astronomically priced.”

“Virtual reality will be a big part of the travel industry moving forward, and I will be there with my headset on when it happens,” he said. “But it’s just not right now.”

While some have taken a step back from VR, Virtual Honeymoon’s Hawkey is doubling down on the technology and encouraging resorts to start filming weddings with it.

She works with several VR companies, and each has agreed to record at least one complimentary mock wedding as long as the resort hosts the production (and, of course, arranges the event). Hawkey said she has several resorts interested and that she believes they will see a direct impact on bookings if agents showcase weddings virtually.

She said other resorts would likely follow suit and pay to have their own mock weddings recorded in VR.

“The reason that we’re doing that is to prove how powerful viewing VR weddings really is and to show how that venue is going to double, if not triple, their weddings by doing something as powerful as a virtual wedding,” she said. “Because then you can literally drop the couple into the wedding without being there.”

It’s not a cheap prospect. In addition to the mock wedding, VR videos feature other aspects of the property to give viewers a better feel for what they will experience. Hawkey estimated that recording one property costs between $7,500 and $10,000, a price driven not only by the effort to videotape at a resort but also the costs of expensive professional equipment and the editing process.

The expense involved in VR is what led Camille Sanders, owner of Chic Romance Travel in Fresno, Calif., to partner with Virtual Honeymoon to offer VR to her clients instead of trying to create her own program and content.

“It’s very expensive to produce,” she said. “It definitely is better to partner with somebody.”

Like Lucky N Love’s Botnick, Sanders brings headsets to bridal shows.

“I feel it really sets me aside differently than anything out there, especially with other local agencies,” Sanders said. “It’s something different to offer.”

Miki Taylor, founder and CEO of Taylor & Co. Travel in Auburn, Ala., lives in a college town and brings the headsets to many local events. She said VR has gone over very well with clients, especially students, for whom Taylor plans many spring break trips.

“If I had a storefront, I’d have [headsets] on every station,” Taylor said. “Every agent would have them, and they would use them to sell. It sells itself.”

Both Sanders and Botnick are also considering purchasing branded headsets that are inexpensive, foldable and easily mailable to clients around the country, who can use their smartphones to view VR content.

Hawkey said VR is a powerful technology for agents to have in their arsenal.

“I just feel it in my gut,” she said. “If agents don’t get on with the technology, they’re going to be the next ones out of business.”

Paradise is called Jamaica, the island of All Right!

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Virtual Honeymoon

Rising out of the Caribbean Sea is an island full of life, music, and spice, is Jamaica!
Landscape of rich tropical vegetation, white sandy beaches, and turquoise waters is a kaleidoscope of amazing color. Its people are every bit as vibrant as the landscape and their music is every bit as calming as the ocean’s waves.
Jamaica is the kind of place you can’t wait to get to and never want to leave. It is truly the quintessential island escape you only thought existed in the movies. Featuring an abundance of the Caribbean’s most spectacular resorts paired with thrilling adventures and laid-back relaxation Jamaica truly has something for everyone. For this reason, Jamaica is an ideal location for honeymooners and for those planning a destination wedding.
No matter whether it is a romance-filled honeymoon or a fun-filled destination wedding one is seeking, they can expect to find the ideal resort matched perfectly with their personality and desired level of action or relaxation. Each resort is unique in design and individualized for the specific traveler they are attracting. From family friendly to couples only, from quiet and relaxed to energetic and active… on the island of Jamaica variety is the spice of life!
The opportunities for romance are at every turn… from couples’ massages to champagne toasts at sunset. From catamaran cruises to snorkeling tours. From hiking up Dunn’s River Falls to diving into Jamaica’s Blue Lagoon. However you choose to spend your time in Jamaica you can be assured that it will be nothing short of incredible.
In the event that you’re still just not sure if Jamaica is right for you, allow me the opportunity to paint you a picture… It won’t take you long to realize what your time in Jamaica is going to be like. In fact, you’ll get a pretty good idea as soon as you load into the van taking you from the airport to your resort. With the van bumping and swaying along as your driver cruises up and down the twisty turny 2-lane roads with the Reggae music blasting you’ll start to understand the Jamaicans care free no worries attitude.
Once you arrive at your resort things will start to slow down a little… The stresses of traveling will start to fade away, the tension in your neck and shoulders will start to relax, and you’ll even realize that your body has begun to sway to the sounds of the music. You’ll stop and stare, trying to take it all in as you stand looking out at the gorgeous lagoon style pool with the breathtakingly beautiful Caribbean Sea in the background.

There will be people all around you, the Reggae band will be playing, but the only thing you’ll be able to hear is Bob Marley singing over and over again in your head, “Don’t worry ‘bout a thing, ‘cause every little thing gonna be alright”.

For more information on Jamaica, contact Kevin Lowe of Better Days Travel

If you don’t know where to go on your next getaway, take our fun quiz and find your top destination match

Virtual Honeymoon is excited to announce the launch of Virtual Vacationing

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Virtual Honeymoon

We are excited to announce the recent launch of Virtual Honeymoon’s newest addition – Virtual Vacationing – on April 10 at the Travel Agent Forum in Las Vegas,
along side their VR partner ExplorVR, Virtual Vacationing was launched with some 700+ travel agents attending!

Travel agents specializing in Vacations

While Virtual Vacationing’s main concept is interactive destination matching for Vacations, the new site does not focus on romance as the other two sites do,
Virtual Honeymoon and Virtual Destination Wedding.

“We realize that not all getaways are about romance, sometimes it’s about vacation travel with family and or friends and they too can be confused about where to go on their getaway.”

The perfect client to use this interactive matching tool, is one that is “all over the map” or says something like,
“we don’t know where we want to go on our getaway, maybe some place warm and tropical?”

Virtual Vacationing is an interactive destination matching tool, Travel Specialists use on those time-consuming clients that are “all over the map” find their top two destination matches and virtually experience it before booking, thus closing the sale!

This interactive tool SAVES TIME, gets Couples EXCITED & ready to BOOK!

Our software is very intuitive, using scoring + algorithm to search & match destinations, combining 360*VR technology, we are revolutionizing the way SMART TRAVEL AGENTS sell Travel!

If your a Travel Specialist and are interested in finding out how this VR interactive destination matching tool can help you or your travel business,
check out Virtual Vacationing, they are offering a 30% discount through the month of May 2018 for all their brands.

To find out more information and select the best match for your business, check out all their brands and become a affiliate and start working smarter!

For questions or to set up a appointment, email us at info@virtualhoneymoon.com

Virtual Honeymoon in TravelWeek news!

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Virtual Honeymoon

Robin Hawkey, owner of Virtual Honeymoon, was recently interviewed by Travel Week about how she came up with the concept for this VR interactive matching tool, and how its solving problems for hundreds of Travel specialists in the Romance Travel industry, as well as plans for growth.

Travel Week is the travel industry largest and most trusted media source in Canada!
See below a copy to article.

Virtual Honeymoon launches sister sites

Virtual Honeymoon launches sister sites, partners with ExplorVR amid company growth

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Posted by Travelweek Group

TORONTO — Here’s a common scenario: You ask your wedding clients where they would go on their dream honeymoon, and they respond with a bunch of destinations in quick succession. Bali. Italy. Tahiti. The list goes on and on.

But there is a fun and easy way to whittle down the options so that your clients are left with a destination that best suits their needs and preferences. Virtual Honeymoon is an interactive destination matching tool used by agents with indecisive clients. Using intuitive software and an algorithm to search for and match destinations, the tool matches couples with their top two destinations, allowing them to ‘test drive’ these locales and help agents close the sale.

Robin Hawkey- Owner of Virtual Honeymoon

Started and owned by travel industry veteran Robin Hawkey, Virtual Honeymoon kicked off in January 2015 for year-long testing before launching its affiliate program in March 2016. Hawkey says the idea came to her after “years of frustration of working with couples that were all over the map”, which resulted in wasting weeks of valuable time, sometimes only to lose them to the Internet.

“When couples have no idea where to go on their getaway, or say something like ‘We just want to go some place warm and tropical’, that usually leads to seeing every tropical island and comparing them all. We call [these couples] ‘tire-kickers’ or ‘time-wasters’ for using travel agents as a human resource tool,” she tells Travelweek.

How it works is simple: Clients answer a series of fun, interactive questions, the tool then matches them to their top two destinations based on their answers. After clients fill out a contact form, all the questions and answers, including their matches, are emailed directly to the travel agent who will then follow up directly.

The tool costs $24.95/month, or $239.52 per year with a savings of 20%.
You can access the site at virtualhoneymoon.com.

To enhance the experience, Hawkey has added a virtual reality component to the website’s destination pages. She’s teamed up with ExplorVR to allow clients to pre-experience their matched destination. Virtual Honeymoon’s affiliates have already used VR headsets and videos at wedding fairs where clients were able to test-drive their destinations on the spot.

“I think [VR] is so beneficial as most millennials want to be involved in the planning process. VR is the next best thing to being there!” said Hawkey. “I also feel that the agents who don’t get on this VR trend will be left behind – literally!”

Devin Kinasz, President & CEO of ExplorVR, adds: “Virtual Honeymoon is embracing VR technology and partnering with ExplorVR to give their agents access to exciting destination experiences. We are very excited to partner with Virtual Honeymoon because they align with our values of being a forward-thinking company that embraces technology.”

Virtual reality acts as the perfect selling tool in the destination wedding and honeymoon market as it allows clients to “try before they fly”. As Hawkey puts it, all couples want their weddings and honeymoons to go off without a hitch, so the best way to ensure that the destination matches their vision is to virtually travel there ahead of time.

“There is on average over two million weddings per year in the U.S. alone, with couples spending over $72 billion on weddings and $8 billion on honeymoons. The romance niche is such a great niche to get into to build your entire travel business,” said Hawkey. “If an agent does a great job on the wedding or honeymoon, and builds a good relationship with their client, they will do all their travel-related activities such as anniversaries, babymoons, graduations, family trips and more, not to mention the referrals to all their friends getting married. This creates a booming business that will continue to grow and prosper.”

With business booming, Virtual Honeymoon launched its sister site – Virtual Destination Wedding – at the Love Mexico event in Cabo last December. Operating much like Virtual Honeymoon, the new site not only matches clients with their top two destinations but also helps plan the wedding. And like its sister site, it costs $24.95, or $239.52 with a 20% discount.

Looking ahead, Hawkey is preparing to launch the company’s newest addition – Virtual Vacationing – on April 10 at the Travel Agent Forum in Las Vegas. While its main concept is the same as interactive destination matching, she says the new site does not focus on romance as the other two sites.

“We realize that not all getaways are about romance, sometimes it’s about vacation travel with family and friends and they too can be confused about where to go on their getaway,” she adds. “We are so excited to be at the Forum with our VR partner, ExplorVR. They have really helped our vision of bringing virtual travel to life, allowing clients to virtually experience their destination match before booking and, thus, closing sales!”

“Test drive” one of our demo-sites below and find the best match for your business:

Travel agents specializing in Romance Travel

Destination Wedding Planners

Travel agents selling Vacations

Virtual Destination Wedding launched!

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Virtual Honeymoon

Virtual Honeymoon is excited to announce the launch of their sister site, Virtual Destination Wedding!

http://demo.virtualdestinationwedding.com

We found adding the wedding planning portion very important, as our virtual tool now not only matches top destinations, but helps plan the wedding as well.

Virtual Destination Wedding was created for Destination Wedding Specialists to use on their couples that have NO idea where they want to go to have their dream wedding!

The perfect client to use this interactive matching tool, is one that is “all over the map” or says something like,
“we dont’ know where we want to get married, maybe some place in the Caribbean?”
This interactive tool SAVES TIME, gets Couples EXCITED & ready to BOOK!

Virtual Destination Wedding is a interactive destination matching tool, Wedding planners are using for those time-consuming clients that are “all over the map” find their top two destination matches and virtually experience it before booking, thus closing the sale!
Our software is very intuitive, using scoring + algorithm to search & match destinations, combining 360*VR technology, we are revolutionizing the way SMART PLANNERS book Weddings!

“How cool would it be to take Virtual Destination Wedding tool to a Wedding fair, try on the couples that don’t know where they want to go?”
They can take our fun interactive test, get their destination match and then put a VR headset on and virtually pre-experience it before they book, making it a “easy sell!“

Are you a Wedding Planner or Destination Wedding Specialists interested in trying this virtual tool to work smarter in your business?
Apply here

Virtual Honeymoon in the news!

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

Robin Hawkey, owner of Virtual Honeymoon, was recently interviewed by Travel Weekly’s Senior editor, Jamie Biesiada about how she came up with the concept for this VR interactive matching tool, and how its solving problems for hundreds of Travel specialists in the romance travel industry.

Travel Weekly is the travel industry most trusted magazine source! See below a copy and link to the article.

New website helps agents streamline honeymoon planning

By Jamie Biesiada / October 23, 2017

It’s a problem most agents face on a regular basis: Clients, old or new, want to go on a vacation, but they don’t know where.

Or, maybe they know they want to go “somewhere warm and tropical,” but they haven’t narrowed it down beyond that. With a literal world of possible destinations, the qualifying questions begin.

The situation is one Robin Hawkey knows well. A former agent who specialized in romance travel, she often had clients come to her with little to no idea of where they wanted to go on their honeymoon.

“It’s our jobs as agents to sell them, to match them to the right property,” Hawkey said. “But honestly, when you’re just talking about the destination and trying to narrow that down, that can take weeks, months of your time, and it’s back and forth.”

And sometimes, a much worse scenario plays out: An agent helps clients pick a destination, then they disappear and book it online themselves.

Enter Hawkey’s solution: Virtual Honeymoon.

Using her experience as an agent, Hawkey has created a destination-matching service in the form of an easy online quiz agents can present to clients. The quiz comes on a white-labeled website agents can customize, and it includes destination guides. Hawkey no longer sells travel, instead devoting herself full-time to the company.

Agents first present their clients with a 17-question quiz.

“These are the questions that we would ask if they were sitting in front of us, if we were trying to figure it out, and we pretty much have it down to a science,” Hawkey said. “It’s working extremely well.”

At the end, the clients are presented with their top two matches based on criteria such as travel style and budget, and they can click through to destination guides on those spots.

The website and its components start at $19.95 per month or $191.52 per year (a demo version is live at www.demo.virtualhoneymoon.com). It includes a back-office feature agents can use to make changes or additions to the site that Hawkey said is very easy to use.

Hawkey has added virtual reality (VR) videos to some of the destination pages, and more are being added. She is encouraging agents to purchase headsets to use at in-person client appointments and events like bridal shows.

She has partnered with Canadian company XPLR VR for the videos and directs agents to that company if they wish to purchase headsets. The price point is around $100 per headset.

“I truly feel if [agents] are not going to get in on [VR], they are going to get left behind,” said Hawkey, who describes the videos as “the next best thing to being there.”

It’s something she has had personal success with. While Hawkey no longer sells travel, she decided to do one final destination wedding for her daughter’s best friend and sold the couple on Jamaica using a VR video.

Virtual Honeymoon has been available to agents since last October. Hawkey has not been actively marketing it, but plans to ramp up her efforts soon. Some 60 agents already use Virtual Honeymoon, and Hawkey’s goal is to have 1,000 users by the end of the year. She has also begun approaching consortia about partnerships.

The agents using the tool are all certified as romance travel specialists by the Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Specialists Association.

Lynn Wilson, owner of Shared Travel in Chico, Calif., said she finds the tool useful when couples are unsure of where to honeymoon. She recently purchased two VR headsets to use at an upcoming bridal show. “It’s fun. It’s different. It’s an experience,” she said, adding that the price of the headsets is not prohibitively high, nor are they low quality.

Camille Sanders, owner of Chic Romance Travel in Fresno, Calif., uses Virtual Honeymoon and its quiz as a marketing tool. She includes links to the quiz in her newsletters, on social media and in her signature line of emails. She has also sent it to past clients. “Taking a quick little quiz, it’s fun,” she said. “It doesn’t take very long to do.”

Try before you Fly with Virtual Honeymoon!

Posted on July 14, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

“Try before you fly” using Virtualhoneymoon.com!

Virtual Honeymoon is a Interactive Destination Matching tool, that Travel Specialists use for those time-consuming clients that are “all over the map!”

The intuitive tool uses algorithm + scoring technology software, to virtually match each client to their top Destinations, where they can virtually experience it before they book!

Virtual Honeymoon just partnered with Travel weeks Xplr VR company based out of Canada, using their VR + 360 videos.

Clients can now “virtually experience” their destinations they match to, thus travel specialists closing the sale!

Here’s a great example of using this technology to work smarter and close the sale from a Virtual Honeymoon affiliate:

“I had a appointment with a Destination Wedding couple on Wednesday night, they both took the Virtual Honeymoon quiz and matched to BVI and Jamaica!” The groom was excited about Jamaica, the bride wasn’t sure, but was open to exploring. I put the VR headset on her, set to Jamaica with sound on and within 2 minutes she was SOLD!!!! “I wish I would have videoed taped her, she was smiling, looking up down all around, laughing, gasping with excitement!” The groom was trying to pull headset off her, he was so excited to try it! He got his turn and was like a little kid, pointing in the air, spinning around, smiling, etc….within about 10 minutes, they BOTH fell in Love with Jamaica for their beach wedding and honeymoon!

“This interactive tool SAVES TIME, gets clients EXCITED & ready to BOOK!

Today’s travel consumers are tech savvy, and expect brands to be as well!
Virtual Honeymoon + Xplr VR technology is revolutionizing the way “smart agents” sell travel!

Virtual Honeymoon offers white label sites, allowing agents to personalize their agencies, helping them work smarter!”

Robin Hawkey is the owner/visionary of Virtual Honeymoon.
She won 2016 Trendsetter Award for “Best Targeted Marketing idea” and was featured in Travelage West.

This year, Virtual Honeymoon is up for Travvy Award and Magellan Award.

Romance Travel Specialists- Are your couples all over the Map?

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

We would like to share with you a new VR “award winning” interactive tool that will save you time and help you WORK SMARTER!

Try Demo now! click the box above to start.

Virtual Honeymoon was created to use on your couples that have NO idea where to go on their Romantic Getaway!
The perfect client to use this VR interactive matching tool, is one that is “all over the map” or says something like, “we don’t’ know where we want to go, just some place warm and tropical.”
This interactive tool SAVES TIME, gets Couples EXCITED & ready to BOOK!

By implementing VR (Virtual Reality) and 360* Videos, agents can now not only match the couple to their top destination but let them virtually experience it!

“How cool would it be to take Virtual Honeymoon tool to a Wedding fair, try on the couples that don’t know where they want to go on their Romantic Getaway, they can take our fun interactive test, get their destination match and then the agent put a VR headset on them to jet away to virtually experience say Jamaica! Agents better have their deposit forms ready!

How it works:
By answering a series of carefully thought out, fun, interactive questions about their likes, preferences, budget etc….the intuitive VR tool will match the clients to their top two Destinations based on their answers selected. The tool will then show their top two matched destinations side-by-side with descriptions of each, from there they can select one (or both) to experience, a beautiful page opens up with destination information, photo, video, links to explore! The system can track each clients Q/A data and when activated, emailed direct to agent, for follow-up!

Robin Hawkey is the owner/visionary of Virtual Honeymoon and loves to share her passion for Romantic Travel. She has won numerous Travel Awards, with the most recent as 2016 Trendsetter Award for “Best Targeted Marketing” and featured in Travelage West. see article here: Travelage West

Taking Mark Zuckerberg’s Travel Challenge on!

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

You may have seen Mark Zuckerberg’s travel challenge on facebook, he is challenging us to travel 12 times this year!

“Can you visit 12 new places you’ve never been, meet someone new, will you accept this travel challenge and join us?”

I know visiting 12 new places is a lot, but really if you break it down, you can go to one new place every month. The places don’t need to be far away, you don’t have to jump on a jet plane and fly across the country, although that would be nice, but not realistic for most people, atleast not 12 times a year!

But you could get out of your own backyard, take a half-hour drive, to see something you’ve never seen.
Maybe go to a new restaurant, try a new coffee shop, check out a new wine tasting bar, or drive to that quaint little town you keep hearing about!

You get the picture! So, grab your favorite travel buddy and hop on this travel challenge ride…….
Lets make 2017 the year of new experiences, new sites, new friends, lets travel Gods world together one city, one beach, one country at a time, claim it!

Follow us on facebook and share your travel challenge experiences with us, where are you going this month?

We will be live on facebook this weekend at our first travel challenge destination, follow us.

See you on the road!
Robin XO

Virtual Reality the new trend for Travel

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Virtual Honeymoon

Is VR- Virtual Reality the next big trend for marketing travel?
We here at Virtual Honeymoon agency think it is!
Marriott hotels and some Cruise lines are jumping on that virtual travel experience.
Virtual reality is a great way to attract clients, imagine being able to pre-experience a destination, hotel or cruise ahead of time before you invest any money in booking!

The Marriott launched a great Virtual Reality marketing campaign with their Teleporter.
Imagine, getting swept away on a beach vacation, complete with your hair blowing in the wind, the smell of the ocean and the mist spraying you while your virtually walking along the white sand beach!

The Marriott hotels are on the right track and some of their hotels also have Virtual Reality – VR headsets in their rooms for clients to experience some of their destinations in the privacy of their rooms, very exciting future in store.

Virtual Reality is part of the reason Virtual Honeymoon was born!
We envisioned our clients to be able to pre-experience a destination before booking, by interactively matching their top 2 destinations and being able to test drive their honeymoon, with videos, virtual tours, google maps, virtual honeymoon itineraries and much more!
Experience it for yourself @ http://www.virtualhoneymoon.com

Virtual Honeymoon at SF Luxury Wedding Show

Virtual Honeymoon is the leading travel agency in this Virtual Reality Travel market that will be driving travel futures, expect to not only be matched to your top destinations but to be able to virtually experience it before you book!

We are happy to be finishing up our travel agent affiliate program to launch early April 2016.
This will be open to travel agents that specialize in honeymoons and romance travel, stay tuned for details to follow in a press release very soon!

Try before you Fly!

Tag Archives: VR