Destination weddings: motivation and option for Portugal

Abstract

The wedding tourism market, which includes destination weddings, is a market that is continuously growing. In recent years we have seen an increasing in the number of marriages performed outside the place of residence of the bride and groom. With increasing demand, this market is becoming an important sector of tourism. The main objective of this study, in addition to the characterization of the destination weddings’ tourist profile and the identification of the attributes that a couple considers most important in the choice of destination for the accomplishment of their marriage, is to determine the main reasons for choosing Portugal as destination wedding by foreign couples. To achieve the proposed objectives, the methodology adopted in this research was a survey questionnaire to the population of foreign couples who live out of Portugal, but who have chosen to make their marriage in that country, having studied a sample of 114 respondents. The results determine that the main reasons for choosing Portugal for the realization of this important event are "good weather, beach and services", "cost"and "attractive image of the destination."