DESTINATIONS ESCORTED TOURS | WOMEN ONLY
expert ASK THE
Why did you start featuring women-only tours?
Some have been created after
feedback from travellers, who felt mixed-gender groups were a barrier to talking to women in
particular destinations. When we did more research with our specialist holiday partners, we began to find more women-only tours and female-guided trips.
Why are they so popular?
Many corners of the world are off limits to mixed-gender groups, so the appeal of women-only tours comes down to wanting a truly authentic experience that allows you to get under the skin of a destination. Our travellers love
getting a behind-the-scenes pass, allowing them to break bread and share experiences openly and honestly in female groups.
Which destinations sell well? Holidays to Iran are particularly popular, as travellers meet people and see places that, due to cultural and religious norms, are
inaccessible to men. They visit women-only sanctuaries, are
invited into homes and businesses, meet female entrepreneurs and experience the often-unseen flipside of the destination.
Justin Francis, chief
executive, Responsible Travel
responsibletravel.com
confidence and encourage women who might otherwise be put off trying male-dominated sports.
CULTURAL ADVENTURES When Intrepid Travel introduced its Women’s Expeditions to mark International Women’s Day in 2018, the programme began with just three tours – to Iran, Morocco and Jordan – and four departures in total. This year there are 36 departures, including new itineraries in Kenya, Nepal, Turkey and India, and in 2020 it’s set to increase to 56, which the operator says makes it one of the fastest- selling ranges in its 30-year history. Gray says: “We had an
incredible response to the launch of our first three Women’s Expeditions. The #MeToo era is making its mark on travel – our female travellers want to hear
the stories and struggles of women around the globe. “This year we’ve discovered
even more extraordinary stories of female empowerment. These new expeditions give travellers the chance to hear from people from all walks of life about their personal and collective struggles and triumphs in achieving gender equality. They allow travellers to enter private spaces and foster conversations that would be impossible in mixed-gender groups.” New experiences this year
include travelling through Kenya with Becky Kieha, aka ‘Mama Overland’, east Africa’s first female overland driver; eating at a cafe in India run by female survivors of acid attacks; and taking part in the women-only ritual of ‘Gold Day’ in Eskisehir in Turkey. Women-only departures are
particularly popular in the Middle East, north Africa and Asia, where
travellers might not otherwise be able to access some cultural customs. India and Bhutan are among the destinations included in the new range of women-only small-group tours from Asia specialist Indus Experiences, which went on sale this month for departures from next year. Marketing director Asiya
Zargar says: “The role of women in developing countries, both urban and rural, is evolving in extraordinary ways. More alliances and organisations dedicated to the empowerment of women are springing up and enabling women to take on important roles in public life, and even in the religious sector. “We have created several new
tours giving clients a fascinating insight into women’s lives and issues in developing countries, and the cultural and social changes that are taking place today. Due to cultural
fast fact
Intrepid Travel has 266 female tour
leaders worldwide, up 70% since 2017
THIS PAGE: Intrepid Travel operates women-only trips to Iran (left) and Morocco (below), while Wilderness Scotland has introduced a range of activity tours PICTURES: Rupert Shanks; Damien Raggatt/Intrepid Travel
64
13 JUNE 2019
travelweekly.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
