Cox & Kings recorded about 32% 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.
The world’s oldest travel company, Cox & Kings, has combed through its booking and enquiry trends of about 2000 women travellers in India to unearth some interesting travel trends.
Cox & Kings recorded about 32% 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.
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.”
Driving the growth are millennials or Gen Y women. About 70% of them come from metro cities while the rest from the tier-2. Most women from this age group are financially independent.
Lawyers, doctors, corporate managers, designers, writers and heads of different organisations make up the professional profile of the Indian adventure women traveller. Several women from the creative fields such as photography, architecture and design have also been choosing adventure.
Cox & Kings said there had been 9% 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 is a crucial aspect that women research about before stepping out.
Diving and trekking have emerged to be the two most popular adventure activities by Indian women adventure travellers. 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.