Emirates reports rising trend of two-destination vacation for Irish honeymooners

Mauritius, Seychelles and Maldives among the most popular for Ireland’s newlyweds.

Emirates has revealed its top destinations for Irish honeymooners for 2023. With July typically the busiest month for weddings in Ireland, Emirates has reported an increase in bookings to destinations including the Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives and newer honeymoon destinations such as Bali and Vietnam.

The world’s largest international airline has also noted a rising trend of a two-destination getaway with honeymooners stopping off in Dubai for a short break, before advancing to a more tropical destination for a longer stay.

According to Emirates, many Irish honeymooners take advantage of their connecting flight in Dubai to take in the so-called city of gold and its 13,000 restaurants, more than 150 five-star hotels, world class attractions and shopping, the chance to chill by the beach alongside a buzzing nightlife.

Wedding boom

With the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reporting a 35% increase in marriages in 2022, this figure may rise further in 2023 with what is being coined a ‘post-Covid wedding boom’ with exotic and exciting long-haul honeymoon destinations in high demand.

When it comes to romantic getaways, Irish honeymooners have long favoured Seychelles and Mauritius. From luxurious five-star resorts where one can unwind in tranquil and tropical settings, to dinner under the stars or swimming with dolphins, they are idyllic destinations with Seychelles just 4.5hrs flight time from Dubai.

Maldives, is the most Instagrammable of spots with its blue skies, sparkling, clear seas and white, sandy beaches. The secluded resorts on the island offer newly married couples plenty of space and privacy to enjoy their vacation and take in the picture perfect and romantic setting. Couples can also make a day trip to the small capital of Malé where there’s a plethora of great restaurants to enjoy and a chance to up your culture game with a to visit the National Museum.

New honeymoon destinations 

Emirates has also reported a rise in demand for flights to Bali and Vietnam in Southeast Asia. Bali has increasingly become a top destination for Irish holidaymakers as it’s known for its friendly character, delicious food choices, from street to five-star dining, and charming historical scenery. Vietnam remains one of the top tourist destinations in the region where one can visit the historic Ho Chi Minh city along with Halong Bay, a stunning combination of limestone peaks and sheltered, glittering seas.

The Business 

When it comes to the ultimate honeymoon experience, many honeymooners are choosing to fly Business Class from Dublin to enjoy gourmet meals, Champagne and fine wines, a 23-inch TV with the airline’s award-winning in-flight entertainment service with up to 6,500 channels on ice and lie-flat seats for a blissful sleep. Passengers can also take advantage of the complimentary chauffeur service straight to the airport (mileage restrictions apply) as well as the 40kg baggage allowance.

Emirates operates two flights daily between Dublin and Dubai and onwards to an extensive array of honeymoon destinations. Economy Class return fares from Dublin to Dubai start at €642 (and all customers can enjoy more than 6,500 channels of entertainment with the airline’s award-winning in-flight entertainment service ice, regionally inspired onboard cuisine and there’s even free Wi-Fi in the sky for Skywards members. for bookings and more honeymoon inspiration: www.emirates.com.