Gender specific international tours are gaining ground, as outbound tourists move beyond the catch all family-group tours. Though still largely stereotypical, with fashion shows for women and laddish activities for men, travel companies in India are experimenting with programmes worked with a focus on the travellers’ gender.
Among the early starters, Kesari travels has built up a community around its `My Fair Lady’ travellers. The women are offered a Club card, with discounts from card associate companies such as Tanishq, VLCC and others.
They also keep the link alive through get-togethers organised periodically. On offer are a variety of domestic and international destinations. Says Swati Kulkarni, who went on one such trip to Singapore last year, ”I had the time of my life, without having to worry about who was watching.’’ Says Mercury travels vice-chairman Ashwini Kakkar, “Women travellers have specific needs that are being targeted by the travel industry through the world.
Hotels have women-only floors and have begun to routinely treat women differently from their male clientele.
The men’s tours at Kesari focus on activities like scuba diving and speed boating. But there are other tour companies like Minago travels, that promise `much more fun.’ Targetted at `men only’, the tour operator based in suburban Mumbai has put up hoardings advertising tours to Thailand. strong>>Go where they go. Join Gay.date.com today!
Globally, special interest group tours cover almost everything from bicycle tours in the French Alps to wine and cheese specials. Hundreds of websites offer a range of gender specific tours. Gay tourism has also emerged as a niche business opportunity ably supported by gay guides to most cities detailing places to hang out and meet other like minded people.
“Some tour operators offer outbound tours to groups of gay people , but these are not advertised for obvious reasons,” says a Mumbai-based gay activist. Segmentation of travel into special products for niche audiences is a sign of a maturing market.Go where they go. Join Gay.date.com today!
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