Travel Niches: ‘Girlfriend’ Trips
by John Hawks

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Here's the truth: Women who travel together basically want many of the same things they'd ask for if they were traveling with their spouses or families -- a fun time at a great price.

What is different about women-only vacations is that your clients can relax without worrying about the traditional "caretaking" of their husbands and children along the way. They can renew themselves and focus on their needs first -- and, for many women, that's worth the price of the trip by itself!

If you have women as clients who want to travel with a group of friends or relatives, you can really take any type of standard vacation -- a cruise, a stay at a spa or all-inclusive resort, a pre-packaged "fly-drive" tour -- and turn it into a fun (and affordable) women-only vacation. You can pack the trip with as much action (Broadway shows, horseback riding, casino nights, theme park tickets) or as much relaxation (spa days, "at sea" cruise days, beachside meals and chairs, yoga classes) as your clients wish.

Another option is working with specialty tour operators like Gutsy Women Travel. You can select among many different package options and customize the final choice to fit your clients' needs, travel dates, and budgets.

Cruises are another avenue for women-only travel, especially groups that may have different interests. These vacations at sea give your clients an almost-all-inclusive price upfront, but they'll have enough onboard options for meals and activities and entertainment that they can enjoy a little "breathing room" before meeting for drinks and dinner in the evenings.

Want to learn more about selling women-only travel? Check these Web sites: www.womenstravelmagazine.com, www.journeywoman.com, www.women-traveling.com, and www.womenstravelclub.com. (Remember: Always confirm agent commission policies in writing before you book with any new tour companies!)