Survey Finds Traveling Empowers Women

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 and rather than looking back at where women have been, Trafalgar is looking ahead to where #SHEGOES, unveiling new data on the empowering effect of travel on women.

Trafalgar’s survey questioned more than 1,000 U.S. women (aged 18 to 60 years old) to discover how travel both empowers and inspires them. The study illuminates all of the reasons #SHEGOES – with nearly three quarters of American women believing that travel makes them stronger and regardless of what’s happening in the world today – 86 percent of women continue to travel unafraid.

Adventure trumps luxury for 20% of the women surveyed and more than half are not afraid to call themselves feminists, while the vast majority see travel as a source of indepedence (73%), strength (73%) and inspiration (69%)

Not unlike other travelers, women pack and go to escape (52%), to celebrate (36%), to reflect & grow (32%), to learn (31%) and to “Test their Limits” (17%). A significant number prefer to travel with their families or significant others (76%) over traveling solo (10%).

To throw the spotlight on the findings, Trafalgar is offering a $50 optional excursion voucher and copy of 1000 Places to See Before You Die with every purchase of a #SHEGOES itinerary.

Tourism is one of the global industries in which women play an enormous role, representing between 60 and 70 per cent of its employment yet, according to Trafalgar’s study 39% of women feel that there aren’t enough women in leadership positions in the travel industry.

Coincidentally, at another company where 65% of its clientele are women, Intrepid Travel is launching a new line of women-only expeditions to Morocco, Iran and Jordan. The limited-edition tours will be available to book beginning March 8, 2018, recognized globally as International Women’s Day.

“These female-led, women-only expeditions offer a socially responsible and culturally sensitive way for travelers to access female-only establishments, experiences and customs in these traditionally conservative countries,” said Jenny Gray, regional product manager for the Middle East and Africa. Intrepid Travel’s ultimate goal is to double its number of female tour leaders globally by 2020.

Topping the list for why some women aren’t traveling are two major factors: money (58%) and work (15%).

Tourism is one of the global industries in which women play an enormous role, representing between 60 and 70 per cent of its employment yet, according to Trafalgar’s study 39% of women feel that there aren’t enough women in leadership positions in the travel industry.