Ahead of same sex marriage being legalised in England and Wales, with effect from the 29th March, ABTA – The Travel Association is kicking off a series of communications initiatives providing practical information and advice to consumers who may be planning a honeymoon or getting married abroad, focusing initially on LGBT couples.

Starting this weekend, ABTA will highlight popular destinations for LGBT consumers, through an infographic that Members and consumers can share on social media channels, as well as highlighting important safety advice from the Foreign Office for LGBT couples holidaying abroad.

Currently around 7,000 same sex couples enter into a civil partnership each year* and similar numbers are expected to get married, with lots of couples already registered for the first ceremonies on 29th March. Many of these couples will be starting married life with a honeymoon and with the average cost of a honeymoon £3,931 according to Brides Magazine,** it is expected that the industry will respond positively to potential demand from LGBT consumers who have planned their nuptials to come after the change in legislation.

ABTA is also working more widely on information for people getting married abroad or planning a honeymoon as part of its “Look for the Logo” campaign and will be working with the Foreign Office, IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) and the National Wedding Show on this and further initiatives. 

ABTA’s popular destination inspiration tool ‘Where to go When’ also includes a honeymoon selector.

Victoria Bacon, ABTA Head of Communications, said: “ABTA has a wealth of information to help inspire LGBT couples who are planning their honeymoon, whether at home or abroad, and our updated travel advice and social media activity will help bring this to life. For our Members and for their customers, we hope this information will be useful and inspiring. Some destinations are more LGBT friendly than others, so it’s also important that as an industry we recognise and highlight some of the safety concerns for LGBT couples travelling to certain destinations.”