Wyndham Zeros In On Growing Destination Weddings Market

DALLAS— Since its launch in mid-February 2002, Wyndham Internationals new website (www.destinationweddingsbywyndham.com) dedicated to helping couples in their search for wedding destinations has been generating significant business, and is continuing to do so, by serving what Wyndham found to be an underserved, but growing niche market. According to David Riley, vp/catering and convention services, the year-over-year sales revenue for F&B prior to the site launch was up 10% in January and down 7% in February, despite a 12% rise in the number of weddings that month. Post-launch those figures were up 40% in March, year-over-year, and Riley expected the same type of figures for April. The vp said given the steady increase in business from this niche market, the website will help grow Wyndhams share of it. By years end, said Riley, Wyndham expects to do “not less than $4 million in incremental F&B sales, and another $4 million to $5 million in incremental room revenue.” The new websites features include a listing of Wyndham resorts, plus short descriptions; a section on planning a destination wedding; and the ability to request information and view basic packages, plus create customized, resort-specific packages. Barbara Capella Loehr