Let’s Make Memories!

Let’s Make Memories!

A new survey of some of the world’s most experienced travelers found that 77 percent of women value travel experiences over material possessions, a startling 40 percent more than men. 

By comparison, 55 percent of men agreed that traveling was more important than having stuff. 

The survey, conducted by travel insurer Global Rescue, surveyed about 1,100 men and women, who are former or current Global Rescue members. 

It also found some other differences in how both genders choose travel: 37 percent of women prioritize the landscape when picking a destination, whereas the same amount of men prefer choosing destinations based on adventure travel activities. 

The findings also reported the shift in both genders towards valuing experiences that provide opportunities for exploration and personal growth, making memories instead of collecting souvenirs. 

It’s long been reported that women are the major decision makers when it comes to planning travel for themselves, their families and their friends, but Global Rescue predicts women’s power over the travel industry will grow in the future.

“Studies suggest that women may prioritize work-life balance more than men,” said Stephanie Diamond, VP of Human Capital Management for Global Rescue. “Additionally, Nielsen projects that women will control 75% of all household discretionary spending by 2028 which is leading to a higher prioritization of travel experiences.”

This content was originally published by Travel Pulse; it is supplemented by a prior TravelPulse article below:

**Let’s Make Memories!**

Women are such an integral part of the travel industry: the majority of travel advisors are women, the majority of people working in jobs in the travel industry are women and the majority of traveler decisions are also decided by women. 

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, we’re taking a deep dive into how women travel.

Using the day’s theme of “Inspiring Inclusion,” we’ll take a look at how women travel solo, how they travel with friends and how they’re inspiring new trends that break barriers and offer new ways to experience the world around us. 

We’ll also hear some great advice from expert travel advisors on how women can gain confidence traveling—alone, to a new destination or just in general—and foster some great connections with people along the way. 

The Research on Women Travelers

We have known for years that women make 80 percent of all travel decisions, regardless of travel method or type, giving them no small measure of influence in the industry. Yet did you know that on average, 57 percent of all adventure travelers are women—and the average age of a female adventure traveler is 47 years old? 

The Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) “The Influence & Impact of Women in Adventure Travel” study, conducted in 2022, also reports that women aged 20-70 comprise 75 percent of the travelers that engage in adventure, culture and nature-themed travel experiences. 

ATTA’s 2024 Industry Outlook identifies a key trend in adventure travel this year: women over 50 traveling solo, leading to more opportunities for women-only tours where travelers can meet new people, engage in personal growth by testing their limits, and remain comfortable and safe in a planned, guided environment. 

Yet it isn’t just older women, who have more time or income to spend, that are leading a new adventure travel trend among women: Contiki, the tour operator for young adults aged 18-35, found that 62 percent of solo trips booked in 2023 were booked by women. 

TTC Tour Brands, the portfolio of brands that includes Contiki, saw a 15 percent increase in solo traveler bookings across its tour brands in 2023. Eighty-one percent of those bookings were made by women. 

Contact My Journey Begins Travel to plan your next trip and Let’s Make Memories!