Surprising New Survey by Westin Hotels & Resorts Reveals Couples Seek Action Beyond the Bedroom When Booking Honeymoons

North America Study Finds Today’s Couples Seek More Active
Experiences and Visit More Destinations in Less Time Than Ever Before

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On the brink of bridal season, Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood
Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today revealed a bold new study that
illustrates a seismic shift in honeymoon travel trends in North America.
In the last five years, rising wealth, digital connectivity and an
increasing global demand for wellness have changed the way couples book,
plan and experience their honeymoon. The survey, conducted in North
America in partnership with StudyLogic, found surprising results
centered on the fact that couples are packing more into their honeymoon
travels, which means seeking more active experiences and visiting more
destinations in less time.

“Statistically, people are getting married later in life and, more
often, have the flexibility to travel as a couple before the ‘big day;’
so what couples are looking for in a honeymoon has changed dramatically
– from travel dates and ideal destinations to their desire to keep their
wellness routine intact,” said Bob Jacobs, Vice President, Brand
Management for Westin Hotels & Resorts. “In sync with today’s trends,
Westin is uniquely positioned to deliver better vacation days through
wellness, allowing guests to get the most out of the time they take off
together – whether it is in Waikiki or Whistler.”

Honeymooners More Likely to Visit Multiple
Destinations,
Reveals Spike in
Ski Destinations as Couples Premiere Choice

With time out of the office at a premium, it is no surprise that a
growing number of couples are traveling more in less time. The number of
couples who have visited more than one destination on their honeymoon
has increased from 35% to 70% in the last five years.

Newlyweds are spending less time getting to their honeymoon destination,
opting for trips closer to home that provide robust itineraries that
pack a punch. Three out of four couples are staying in the U.S. and
Canada as part of their honeymoon, a sharp increase from more than five
years ago. In fact, travel to Canada has tripled among North American
honeymooners in the last five years and quadrupled in the western
mountain region of the United States – a trend that Westin hotels are
seeing as well.

In summer and winter months, Westin hotels from Beaver Creek and Blue
Mountain have seen significant growth in honeymoon travel in the last
couple of years. Before arriving to The Westin Resort & Spa in Whistler,
for instance, couples plan helicopter tours, skiing or cycling
excursions before booking spa appointments and restaurant reservations.
Similarly, The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa in Victoria has
seen a spike in requests about hiking, mountain climbing and Jeep tour
outings for couples planning their honeymoon itinerary.

Active Travel Reigns after Wedding Bells Ring
Plus,
Couples Keep Up Well-being Routine Post-Nupitals

Given the growth of the global wellness industry and the fact that
well-being has become a lifestyle, it makes sense that honeymooners have
embraced well-being more holistically over the last five years. Eighty
percent of those surveyed reported being more active and
health-conscious during their honeymoon than at home. And, if given the
opportunity to re-do their honeymoon, 44% would prefer to be even more
active.

“We’re not saying it’s all about sweating it out in the gym, but Westin
is about creating an experience that allows you to leave feeling better
than when you arrived,” continued Jacobs. “Of course, couples are
relaxing and enjoying the spa. In fact, 50% of couples say it makes
their honeymoon more memorable, while 40% of honeymoon travelers are
also running as a way to decompress, disconnect and be a tourist at the
same time.”

Case in point, in 2015 Westin saw a 16% increase in requests for the
brand’s Gear Lending partnership with New Balance, giving guests access
to workout gear without the hassle of packing it. Hotels, including The
Westin Cancun Resort & Spa and The Westin Mission Hills Gold Resort &
Spa, have seen great success with custom running maps that make it easy
for guests to get out and explore their destination while maintaining
their fitness goals on the road.

Finally and unexpectedly, couples aren’t ditching their pre-wedding
health routine post-nuptials. Everyone talks about the ‘wedding diet’
and the assumption that once the wedding is over, couples relax their
healthy habits. The data showed something else: four out of five
respondents increased their approach to active well-being and healthy
food choices while on their honeymoon, creating a catalyst to continue
their wellness routine following the wedding bells.

For more information about the Westin brand’s honeymoon offerings,
please visit: www.westin.com/resorts.

Study Methodology

This study is based on a survey conducted by STUDYLOGIC LLC via
telephone of 4,060 (non-single) respondents with household incomes of
$50,000-$500,000 from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Each country
represents approximately one-third of respondents. The survey consisted
of 27 questions including identifiers. Interviewers were conducted
between April 7 and April 14, 2016. The survey averaged 25
minutes in length and contains a margin of error of +/-3%.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin
Hotels & Resorts, a leader in wellness and hospitality for more
than a decade, lives its philosophy “For a Better You™” through the
Westin Well-being Movement’s six pillars: Feel Well, Work Well, Move
Well, Eat Well, Sleep Well and Play Well. At more than 200 hotels and
resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, guests can experience
offerings that include the iconic Heavenly® Bed, RunWESTIN™ and Westin
Gear Lending with New Balance®, delicious and nutritious SuperFoodsRx™,
the innovative workspace Tangent, Westin Weekend signature experiences,
and Heavenly Bath and Heavenly Spa. Westin is proud to offer Starwood
Preferred Guest®, the industry’s leading loyalty program. To learn more,
visit www.starwoodhotels.com/westin.
Stay connected to Westin: @westin on Twitter
and Instagram
and facebook.com/Westin.

Contacts

Media
Starwood Hotels &
Resorts, Inc.
Katie Roberts, 212-380-4049
Katie.Roberts@starwoodhotels.com
or
Mfa
Ltd.
Samantha Lacher, 212-528-1691
slacher@mfaltd.com