Quinceañera Niche Market Continues to Grow in spite of Tough Economy – Destination Quinceañeras are among the newest trends at amusement parks like Knotts Berry Farms

Quinceañeras, the Hispanic celebration of a girl’s transition to womanhood on her 15th birthday, continues to be a target market. It’s estimated that 400,000 U.S. Latinas turn 15 each year, inspiring quinceañera Barbies, magazines, products, fashion and services.

All inclusive vacation packages aboard cruises and destination Quinceañeras to amusement parks such as Knotts Berry Farms are among the latest trends. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend their annual “Fiesta Mexicana“ celebration, which includes Quinceañera fashions, services and trends.

Heading the fashion show efforts is Quinceañera expert Isabella Wall and her team, whose popularity as a consultant has earned her the media title of “The Fairy God-mother of Quinceañeras.” For the past 8 years, Isabella has been working with corporations like, MTV, Hearst and Disney among many others, looking to increase their Hispanic costumers using the ever-popular Quinceañera celebration.

“Even ‘Dora the Explorer’ has celebrated her Quinceañera. Regardless of the hard economy, the Quinceañera popularity continues to grow along with the Hispanic population across the nation. Latinos are very much family, culture and tradition oriented. Now a days they realize that they can not afford to NOT celebrate their daughter’s coming of age, because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to show support and appreciation to our teenage girls, at a time when they really need the family nucleus,” said Wall.

“A typical Quinceañera consists of a religious ceremony followed by a reception. It’s all very similar to a wedding except there’s no groom. The celebration varies from Latin culture to Latin culture and some Hispanic traditions exclude the religious part because it is not a religious rite. Everything that applies to a wedding applies to a Quinceañera. In some instances even the pre-wedding bridal parties are applicable to this celebration, depending on the budget,” continued Wall.

Service providers and retailers have discovered an untapped niche – a giant whose wake-up call was long overdue. It’s calculated that nearly $400 million is spent on Quinceañeras in the United States alone – an increase over the $300 million spent in 2007. An average Quinceañera costs $5,000.00. There is a need for all kinds of products geared to this market and all the details that the celebrations involve including special Quinceañera accessories such as: tiaras, jewelry, photo albums, signature books, ceremonial pillows, special quinceañera dolls, ball gowns, cakes, food, banquet halls, limousines, flowers, photographers, videographers, invitations, tuxedos, music, gifts and much more.

So how are families coping with having to explain to their little princesses that the economy may not allow for a Quinceañera celebration? “Parents need to focus on having a family affair, helping their daughters understand that it’s not about the extravagance but about family unity – an opportunity to celebrate together. It’s a day in which they are the reason to celebrate. With that idea in mind they should stick to their budget, start planning well in n advance and spend less money by using hand-me-down gowns and other products. A community effort ranging from holding the reception at somebody friend’s home to designating family members to do the decorating, cooking and other various tasks,” concluded Wall.

Isabella Wall will be hosting the Quinceañera fashion show this coming Sunday, May 10th as part of the Mother’s day “Fiesta Mexicana” festivities at Knotts Berry Farms in Buena Park, California. www.IsabellaWall.com www.MisQuinceMag.com www.Be15.com“

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