Women-only travel is a growing trend within the travel industry, announces Gateway Destinations, with more and more destinations and types of travel being offered in the U.S. and worldwide – from short girlfriend getaways to extended journeys, and luxury to high adventure tours. Many women are venturing out with girlfriends, sisters or as a mother and daughter team. According to the Travel Channel, however, over 32 million American women traveled alone in 2007 and this number continues to grow. Not always having a travel partner, women traveling solo are seeking women-only travel groups to have fun and meet other like-minded women.
Gateway Destinations hosts women-only tours that are intimate, with as few as five women and no more than 14, allowing for flexibility and ease of travel. These affordable, yet informal luxury tours, encourage women to focus on themselves and the activities they most enjoy while feeling safe in an escorted small group. Itineraries are designed to capture the essence of the local culture through a variety of unique activities and exploration with their local bilingual guide.
Gateway Destinations’ owner, Jan Acorn, speaks from personal experience. “Much of my foreign travel over the years has been exploring on my own, with girlfriends or my sister. I found that a lot of women also want to travel, which is why I decided to create and escort women-only journeys. I believe they help build a stronger sense of self, nurture an adventurous spirit, enrich one’s understanding of the world around them, and allow women to express their independence in a fun and safe environment.”
The European countries of France, Italy, and Greece are currently featured venues of Gateway Destinations for women-only travel. Jan Acorn adds “I love sharing Europe’s charm, history and beauty with other women in an extraordinary way with the help of local professionals I have come to know and trust.” Gateway also partners with other women-owned companies to offer additional venues beyond Europe. These inviting venues include a women’s safari in South Africa as well as a unique journey in Peru celebrating women’s influence on the local economy.
