Atlantis gateway for Indian weddings
The great Indian wedding is often synonymous with terms like grandeur, extravagant and more. Saida El Massmoudi, Director, Wedding Events, elucidates on how apt a venue The Atlantis is for Indian destination weddings
The Indian wedding segment is seeing a surge in destination weddings due to the demand of a wedding getaway trend being witnessed for the current generation. Indians are the preferred clients for destination weddings, primarily because of the numerous events they hold.
Massmoudi throws light on this trend and gives her views, “The destination weddings coming from India is important for us especially in terms of revenue and numbers. Mainly because of the number of functions they do and the kind of luxury they look for. The minimum spends they have per event and the kind of consumption there is during the event.”
DESTINATION ATLANTIS
Destination wedding have surged for Atlantis as well. The number of clientele the hotel deals in shows the demand to have a destination wedding for the India market. Giving an idea about the number of people invited to such weddings, she says, “Destination weddings that we have done so far range from 140 rooms up to 400 rooms. The biggest was held in October last year and it was for 800 people. They did more than five functions with us and most of them stayed with us more than five nights. They spent more than 3-4 million UAE Dirham (AED).”
Talking about the kind of weddings they can facilitate, she says, “We do weddings that range from 1 to 5 million Dirhams. We customise the packages to facilitate the process for the customers. That is based on their budget, on what they are looking for. Based on the food they are looking for, the services, the added values that we provide, whether they are going to have activities like the attraction with the dolphins. Special menu if they are asking for Jain food, pure vegetarian. Specifications like that. It is basically the one-stop-shop and it's a destination within a destination being in The Atlantis.”
INDIAN CLIENT, THE RIGHT CATCH
The Indian clientele is well aware of what they require for their special day to be extraordinary. To add to this need, a perfect venue is like a dream come true. Telling us why the Indian wedding client is such a catch, Massmoudi adds, “The Indian client does not only invite/bring his family only to celebrate the son's wedding, but they are also looking for holidays within the same period for their guests. Also for the bride and groom to stay after the function for few days to relax. We offer numerous activities, adventures and attractions. Guests like to go to the aqua venture, ladies go for the spa, pamper themselves. Post event, post wedding parties, after parties, outdoors, indoors. That's what makes Atlantis a bit unique and more desired by the client from India. They look for different unique venues for the experience and to have memories from that wedding. We have a variety of marine and entertainment attractions, as well as 17 hectares of waterscape amusement at Aquaventure Waterpark, all within a 46-hectare site. It is home to one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the world, with over 65,000 marine animals in lagoons and displays including The Lost Chambers Aquarium, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis.”
Aquaventure features 18 million liters of fresh water used to power thrilling waterslides, a 2.3-kilometer river ride with tidal waves and pools, water rapids and white-water chargers. Dolphin Bay, the unparalleled dolphin
Destination weddings that we have done so far range from 140 rooms up to 400 rooms
conservation and education habitat, and Sea Lion Point were created to provide guests a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn more about one of nature's most friendly mammals.
DOING IT DIFFERENTLY
When the traditional ceremonies are done differently, it only adds to the colour to the holy ceremony. Atlantis tries to offer Indian groups the same with a touch of their own. “In case of clients coming from India, even if the ring ceremony is already done, they like to repeat it in a different way. We give them ideas. Something unique that they have not experienced elsewhere. For example, the Dolphin bringing the ring to the groom to present it to the bride. We have the Oceana restaurant with aquarium, then the divers can have a message for the bride or the parents, like ‘will you marry me' or this is our ring ceremony. Something like that which is out of the ordinary, that people can get to have at their engagement party/ring ceremony.”
Vendors are an important component to the wedding segment. Giving an idea about arrangements at weddings, she adds, “We have suppliers and vendors within the country in Dubai, we also have a lot of people that we deal within India. Sometimes the client comes ready with their wedding planner, we advise them for local vendors to facilitate some things, like the horse, puja equipment, small things needed can also be provided. Sometimes we provide the wedding planners. We are there for the clients and we give them guidance.” There are numerous upcoming trends that the Indian millennials follow to keep up the pace. Talking about trends in Indian weddings, Massmoudi adds, “Indian weddings are full of joy and surprises, they are very unique. I think in the old days, the parents used to take decisions, they decided on the décor, the menus and the arrangements. Nowadays, the youngsters are getting more involved. They bring in the fresh, modern ideas in terms of the weddings, entertainment, celebrities who are going to be in the Sangeet function. Fireworks, maybe cake hanging from the ceiling. For every wedding there is something unique.”
Yearly the growth from 2015, 2016 and 2017 can be pegged at 10 per cent
“Yearly the growth from 2015, 2016 and 2017 can be pegged at 10 per cent. The packages are convenient. We have special packages for the Indian market per function, say for the mehndi, sangeet, etc. The room rates as well are very convenient, added value of whatever benefits they get with it. We have done 350 Dirham weddings per person, food only not the room. We have also done 1000 Dirham weddings per person, food only. For a three-night, four-day wedding it would cost about 3500 to 5000 Dirham per person,” concludes Massmoudi.