In order to understand Indian women’s participation in adventure travel, Cox & Kings undertook a study of its booking and enquiry trends of about 2000 women travellers in India. Cox & Kings recorded about 32 per cent year-on-year increase in women travellers opting for adventure across soft, medium and extreme activities. The growth is a cumulative reflection of both its domestic as well as international tours.
Driving the growth, the women force largely comprises Millennials or Gen Y women. About 70 per cent of them come from metro cities while the rest from the tier-2. Most women from this age group are financially independent. While Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh and Nepal top the trekking bucket-list for the women, Andaman Islands, Maldives, Thailand, Malaysia, Red Sea – Egypt, Bali, Gili Islands, Great Barrier Reef and Mauritius comprise the list of diving destinations. Besides, walking, cycling, biking, rafting and sailing are other activities that Indian women travellers opt for.
It is delightful to note a 9 per cent increase in women solo travellers as compared to 2017. A mix of social media influence and word-of-mouth is fuelling the growth in solo travel. Safety remains a crucial aspect though, that women research about before stepping out.
Commenting on the study, Karan Anand, Head, Relationships, Cox & Kings said, “While women are travelling with their friends and other women’s groups, there is also a trend of mothers travelling with their daughters. Adventure has become an enjoyable activity for families to bond. Today women are up for extreme adventure trips and find it liberating as it merges nature, adrenaline and exploration. It also empowers women in several ways and helps curb any inhibitions.”
