FRONTLINE
ANDREA SMITH a Holiday Village agent based in the Peak District
I’ve just adopted two ex-battery hens who,
at 18 months, are considered past their prime and discarded as commercial birds. After weeks of TLC, these little ladies are beginning their retirement ranging free here with us. It’s been heartwarming to see them learn that they have wings. On the subject of being past your prime, at almost 57 I can relate a little to my new hens. However, I’m not quite ready to be put out to pasture yet, and I’ve been thrilled to see the exciting way the industry is approaching maturer female travellers.
HIGH DEMAND The touring sector has seen a huge increase in adventure-seeking ladies, many I suppose finding themselves with empty nests, money in their pockets, and ready to take on a new chapter in their lives. The industry is reacting with a plethora of women-only offerings. Details are emerging about Intrepid’s exciting AdventurHer concept, while Insight Vacations has launched women-only itineraries for 2025, which will run alongside its ‘Make Travel Matter’ experiences, some of which are delivered for women by women. I recently gave a presentation to a
group of ladies about The Travelling Queenager, a social media presence I started after last year’s Atas Conference. It aims to help midlife women share travel experiences,
28 27 JUNE 2024 AGENT I’ve been thrilled
to see the exciting way the industry is approaching mature female travellers
and to empower their peer groups to try new adventures. A woman there told a story of someone she knew. Having been let down at the last minute by a friend, this lady bravely decided to go on a tour alone. We were told she’s a changed person; once nervous of everything new, she’s now ready for anything! This week I interviewed Stacey Kirkpatrick from Reuben’s Retreat who, at the age of 45, completed the trek to Everest Base Camp. Alongside Stacey was Phurba Sherpa, the award-winning Intrepid guide who led the group. Phurba told me that 65% of the clients he leads to the base camp are women, the oldest
being 77 years old. The discussion revolved around the challenges a midlife woman may face if she wanted to take on such a challenge, and how the trek has changed the way Stacey looks at life.
MEN-ONLY OPTIONS? When I discussed the article with my family, my son-in-law asked if there were any travel experiences designed for men. I admitted that I didn’t believe there was, unless you include sporting holidays, which are, after all, open to everyone. Is the next step men-only special-
interest groups? I don’t know if there is a market for these, but with so many wonderful women-only itineraries, and offerings for groups such as the LGBTQ community, in the spirit of fair play, shouldn’t the industry also have options just for men? Our industry is proudly providing fantastic choices, but let’s not be afraid to embrace everyone. Don’t we all deserve a chance at the camaraderie and lasting friendships these tours can provide? This is why our industry still excites me: we have the opportunity to deliver life-affirming experiences, playing an integral part in the discovery of incredible new things. Like my little hens, we can help our clients discover their wings.
FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES
Need a conversation starter for a client perusing your adventure section? Did you know Sherpa was originally an ethnic group, not the job title we know it to be
today. Phurba Sherpa, voted Wanderlust’s best walking and outdoor trek leader in
2023, explained the Sherpa people were native to Tibet and migrated to Nepal. Agriculture was not easy in the Himalayas, so they began leading tourists to Everest as a second source of income. Anyone who still has the surname Sherpa is from the original ethnic group. Phurba told me that while not all of Intrepid’s Himalayan guides are of Sherpa origin, all are Nepalese and eight are women.
Intrepid guide Phurba Sherpa
travelweekly.co.uk
Sharon ColinKimHelen Clare Sharon ColinKimHelen Clare diary diary
Andreandr
PICTURE: Ben Smith
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