Today’s post is by Stephanie Diamond, a veteran international human resources expert who has lived and worked in several different countries. She’s currently VP Human Capital Management for Global Rescue, a provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services.
Solo women
travelers is an increasing sector of the travel industry.
Today, 56 percent of leisure travelers are women; and over the
past five years, they have steadily held this majority stake. Women make close
to 85 percent of all travel decisions: where to go, when to fly, where to stay,
what to see. Importantly, women also live longer than men and outnumber them in
a crucial travel bracket—retirees—making them an investment that yields
greater, and longer, returns.
Total solo travel can be refreshing.
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| Find your own way. |
Sisterhood of the Outdoors has guided
hunting and fishing trips to women who love the outdoors. WHOA Travel, a
boutique adventure company for women by women, offers adventures on four continents.
Women’s Hiking Crew is a hiking community for women. Finatical Flyfishing
provides women-only worldwide fly fishing trips, complete with female
guides.
New
experiences and making connections
Travel with friends
The travel experiences women are looking
for today focus on learning new activities and reconnecting with nature and
people. Many who viewed the 2021 Olympic summer games watched the debut of the
female surfing competition and were inspired to learn the sport. It is what 60%
of the guests do at Costa Rica’s Kalon Surf, a luxury resort and surf
camp.
“We have built an experience that helps
our guests to relax and recharge by learning or improving their surfing in a
beautiful, paradise-like setting full of comfort,” said Kjeld Schigt, founder
of Kalon.
Mature women enjoy traveling togethr.
Traveling solo doesn’t mean you are
always traveling as a party of one. Sixty percent of female travelers who sign
up for WHOA Travel’s classic adventures — group travel adventure tour with
pre-set dates — come solo, meaning they arrive knowing no one. But by the time the
program ends, they leave with a new set of friends – and a totally new sense of
competence.
“When you face a challenge, like
summiting Africa’s Kilimanjaro or trekking Iceland’s glacial terrain, and have
these other women to lift you along the way, it forms an incredible bond that
lasts,” said Allison Fleece, who co-founded the woman-focused adventure travel
company in 2015 with fellow adventure enthusiast Danielle Thornton.
Link up with a group.
“It can be intimidating to take the
plunge and sign up for these kinds of activities,” Fleece said. “But when you
know you’re doing it with like-bodied or similar-in-age women, you’re all the
more encouraged and empowered.”
Self-care, or reconnecting with
yourself, is a growing travel goal for women. Imagine staying at a retreat hidden
in a 22-acre jungle oasis in Costa Rica. You’re 10 minutes from the beach,
steps away from nature paths and a private waterfall and treated to meals
crafted by a five-star vegan chef. Pair it with yoga for an amazing experience
at the Imiloa Institute.
Relinking with nature is another
priority among female travelers. Saint Brandon is an ideal place for a digital
detox. Located to the northeast of Mauritius, Saint Brandon is a paradise-like
island country in the Indian Ocean well-suited for anglers, free divers, kite
surfers and nature lovers.
Reconnect during travel.
Unfortunately, women of all ages must
contend with certain risks on the road. Solo travel--for women and
men--requires some additional precautions. Having a communications device that
works under all circumstances and obtaining emergency medical evacuation
protection are essential. Completing deep research about your destination will
help prevent cultural faux pas. Keeping your family or friends aware of your
itinerary with schedule check-in is an important lifeline to help you stay active.
Photos from free sites.
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