The 11 tours, which will start in 2025, have been designed to encourage solo travel. The tours will host a maximum of 24 guests, following routes and handpicked hotels on itineraries created for women, by women. Guests will also have the opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements throughout the trips.
In celebration of International Women’s Day (8 March), travel agents who book a solo female travel package between 8 March and 8 April 2024 will earn £100 per booking in Lifestyle shopping vouchers (€100 in One4All shopping vouchers for those based in Ireland). Travellers will also save 8% on bookings until 31 May.
Insight Vacations’ women-only tours were created after a survey of more than 1,000 female travellers in partnership with Journey Women. The survey found that almost two thirds of women actively look for tour companies that offer solo or women-only tours.
More than four in 10 said they feel “the travel industry ignores solo or older female travellers”.
Insight Vacations UK and EU sales director Kelly Walker said: "Not only does our incentive scheme for women-only tours provide travel agents with well-deserved recognition for the hard work they do, it also gives them a chance to encourage women to take on the challenge of seeing the world solo, as well as the option to make incredible memories with friends or family.”
Itineraries as part of the launch include a Country Roads of the Deep South Tour, where travellers can learn about the women’s civil rights movement, a Best of Morocco tour which hosts as part of the trip a a baking class at a women’s cooperative which empowers women to become professional chefs, and a Country Roads of Italy tour with an opportunity to visit a weaving association owned and run by women in Perugia.
Insight Vacations is also launching a new social travel group on Facebook for women called “Insight Vacations Women-Only Travel Community”. The group hopes to encourage women to discuss travel among themselves, share tips, and find others with similar interests.
Kelly Jackson, managing director at Insight Vacations EMEA, said: “As a travel brand we are always intent on inspiring inclusion, which is why we wanted to open doors to these women on what is a special global day around the world. Our women-only tours are something we’ve carefully developed for women, by women to meet their unique needs whether it is exploring new cultures, overcoming their fears, or meeting new friends.”
