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GIRL GETWAYS
Women-only vacations are taking off
By Kelli Lackett, KelliLackett@coloradoan.com
June 10, 2007
When Leslie Ross started her Breckenridge-based Babes in the Backcountry 10 years ago, many in the travel and outdoor recreation industry didn't think there was a market for all-women adventure trips.
"They didn't realize the market share of us as consumers," Ross said.
That's changed in the past five years, Ross said. Her company's mountain-biking, backcountry skiing and outdoor skills clinics and trips have been featured in the New York Times and Backcountry and Powder magazines, and Ross was interviewed on May 28 on the Hallmark Channel.
Single, married, divorced, empty nesters, the experienced and the novice - Babes in the Backcountry gets them all, Ross said.
"We have women that come as groups of friends as well as women who want to try something new but don't have other friends who are active," she said.
Outdoor adventures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the burgeoning women-only travel and recreation market. There are spa trips, shopping trips, wine-tasting vacations and Vegas blowouts for the girls. Hotels, resorts and Bed and Breakfasts offer tons of weekend packages for women's getaways.
"We have definitely seen a growing trend in girlfriend getaways," said Valerie McDermott, cofounder of the Web site www.million-dollar-mama.com, a travel resource for women who want to organize girlfriend getaways.
A survey conducted by Royal Caribbean International showed that 48 percent of respondents had taken a girlfriends-only trip in the past three years, and 33 percent said they had plans to take one in the near future.
Many of the girls getaway deals also save busy women time by putting together better, and more economical, packages than they could piece together on their own. Last winter, The Teton Lodge in Jackson Hole, Wyo., offered a 5-day ski vacation for four women — complete with lodging, four lift tickets all around, an après-ski massage and hot toddies — for just over $1,000 per person.
All walks of life
McDermott said that until recently, married women usually confined their leisure travel to family vacations.
But in the past 10 years or so, and especially in the past five, that‘s changed.
Women now give themselves permission to take occasional time away from the family.
And with women working and making most of the decisions about household spending, they are able to devote some money to treating themselves.
“We have so many roles in society — working and bringing money into household — maybe taking care of children and a husband,” McDermott said. “It is definitely OK to take a break.”
Single, divorced and widowed women are also realizing that they don’t have to be in a party-of-two to travel. Women-only trips allow them to travel safely while making lifelong friends with other women.
“It’s nice not to feel that everyone else is partnered up, said Santa Fe, N.M., writer Page Lambert, who leads creative retreats for women.
Girl Power
Last year, O Magazine featured Lambert’s annual rafting and writing trip through Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands National Park as one of the best all-girl getaways in the country.
“When women are with just women and they are in an outdoor wilderness setting, they will branch out and try things that they didn’t know before,” she said.
The river guides are all women who work for Moab, Utah-based Sheri Griffith River Expeditions.
“To see women (navigate the river) confidentially and capably and successfully, it helps women on the trip to get back in touch with some of their latent strength.”
Women-only trips provide a supportive environment to develop new skills, Ross said.
“Women find a place of real encouragement and camaraderie and a real energizing spirit,” Ross said. “With the encouragement of other women, women can push themselves to a next level.”
The Scoop
By Jan Butsch Schroder, Travelgirlinc.com
March 23, 2007
Where Girlfriends Go to Getaway!
Tee time in Texas, cocktails in the Caribbean, or bonding with nature in a national park? Figure out your next girlfriends’ getaway with the help of Million Dollar Mamas! Sandra Mahoney and Valerie McDermott are two girlfriends who met in college and started this website that that has tons of information, an online travel directory, special events, offers and even information on what to wear when you get there. Sign up for the MamaZine and get their newsletter delivered to your email box. Check them out at www.million-dollar-mama.com
 Mom Retreats
By Lisa Tucker McElroy, Parenting Magazine
March 2007
"...Want more? Million-dollar-mama.com lists packages in every state."
Buddy Systems:
Reconnecting with good friends on just-guys/gals trips
By Liz Heron, Washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Thursday, September 21, 2006
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/21/AR2006092100672.html?referrer=email
Sometimes the best way to get away from it all is to hang out with the people who love you just the way you are: your friends. A long weekend with your buddies can be the perfect escape, whether reconnecting with your college crew or throwing a bachelor or bachelorette party for your best friend.
Vacationing with friends is also a great time to indulge your girly side or inner man's man. As such getaways become more popular, the travel industry is taking notice. Special deals and discounts geared toward men- or women-only vacationers abound.
"If you and your friends are all looking for the same thing, a package deal can be a great bargain," suggested Valerie McDermott, co-founder of Million-Dollar-Mama.com, an online travel resource for women. But there are plenty of destinations that offer a variety of activities to please the most diverse group of friends.
Web sites like GuysGetaway.com help plan trips for groups of men and promote special offers on golf, shark fishing and sports events. Resorts are also catering to women more frequently, offering girl-only golf excursions, fly fishing and other pursuits once targeted only to men.
"Women are coming from hectic business arenas. When they go on vacation, they want to escape. But they also want to be challenged," said Stephanie Oswald, editor-in-chief of travelgirl magazine.
You might not meet many cute members of the opposite sex at these spots, but they are the perfect places to spend good old-fashioned quality time with your pals.
Click here to read the whole article
How to plan an affordable girls' weekend getaway
By Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com
Date Posted: 07/10/06
http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-to-plan-an-affordable-girls-weekend-getaway.html?id=1266050&page=1
"Almost every life event for a woman is an opportunity to travel, and who better to share those events with than your girlfriends, mother, daughter, or sisters," says Valerie McDermott, co-founder of Million-Dollar-Mama.com, an online resource for women's travel. Hotels and other providers are well aware that girls' getaways are one of the hottest trends in travel, and many promote packages and special offers for women traveling together. Consumers should investigate before buying, however: Sometimes packaged getaways can be a good deal, and other times they can be a rip-off.
Our tips will help you put together an affordable girls' getaway—either a package or an a-la-carte escape you arrange yourself—with an emphasis on savings strategies and customizing a unique itinerary for your experience.
Possibilities
There's no one definition for a girls' getaway nowadays, although "getaways" are usually limited to weekends or other short stays, as opposed to full vacations. There are packages for college friends, reading or scrapbooking clubs, female family members, bridal parties, sorority reunions, and other groups of women. And, perks have moved beyond spa treatments, chocolate, and shopping discounts (although those are certainly still available in abundance). Today's getaways can include adventurous activities such as hiking and surfing, beach escapes, wine and culinary tours, and even stargazing.
Lauren Darden, a recent law school graduate from Waynesboro, Virginia, just got back from a trip to Freeport, Bahamas, with two girlfriends. "We all wanted to have a good time, but also relax, and wanted something warm that involved lounging in the sun for a good portion of the trip," she says. "I wanted some time relaxing with my friends where I did not have to answer as a law student, wife, or mother. We all had just completed graduate programs, and it was the perfect excuse to celebrate."
"Groups of traveling women range in age, marital status, economic level, and reason for travel, but most have in common a multi-faceted life," says McDermott. "We see college/high school friends using getaways as a way to indulge in things they enjoyed growing up together, sisters pampering themselves, book club members looking to deepen their literary experiences, and even gym buddies looking to step up their daily workout routine." As a result, today's getaways can be tailor-made to fit such varied travel tastes.
Package deals
"Package deals are especially attractive if you're going to a destination you have never been to before," says McDermott. "The proprietor has taken all the guesswork out using their experiences and knowledge of the area and making connections with nearby spas, wineries, restaurants, to get special pricing for their visitors. It's just a nice introduction to an area you may not be familiar with."
Some options currently available for girls' getaways packages include:
Escapes just for women from participating inns at BedandBreakfast.com. Destinations across the country are represented, with activities including shopping, spa treatments, beauty consultations, and pajama and pizza parties.
"What Women Want!" packages at Kimpton Hotels, an upscale boutique hotel brand with properties in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and other major cities available. Perks can include massages and spa treatments, consultations with a personal shopper, complimentary bottles of wine or Champagne, theater or movie tickets, and dance classes.
"Women Only Weekends" in the Finger Lakes region of New York, with eight area lodging properties taking part in the promotion. Possibilities cover wine getaways, scrapbooking weekends, or art escapes.
Spa packages at Omni Hotels, with Atlanta, Montreal, Orlando, and Tucson hotels, among others, offering getaways.
The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission offers girls' getaways ranging from fine dining escapes to packages including in-room movies, chocolates, and wine.
While deals like these may make planning easy, sometimes a getaway package may cost more than the sum of its parts, offer lackluster perks, or just not appeal to all the women in your group. In these cases, you may find it more valuable to put your own getaway together.
Building your own getaway
If you can't find an affordable girls' getaway in the area you wish to visit, consider the following steps.
Take into account what you and your fellow travelers would like to do given the amount of time you have, the types of activities that interest your group (do preferences lean toward the rugged, pampering, or no activities at all?), and the anticipated budget. "Some groups may not want the restrictions of a package," says McDermott. "Part of the group may be looking to pamper themselves while others would like hiking. If this is the case for your group, you may want to consult with a travel professional to help you personalize your own getaway."
Once your interests and activities are narrowed, do some research to see what your chosen destination offers. Inquire with the local convention and visitors' bureau (CVB) and any hotels that interest you to see if there are any current specials or discounts.
Compare package prices with the cost of a getaway you could arrange yourself to see which option is the better deal. In some cases, you may find the package has savings over a-la-carte rates; other times you're better off purchasing items individually.
See where you can trim costs or find extra discounts. Is it cheaper to travel during the week, rather than stay over a weekend? What seasons are the least expensive to visit? Does anyone in your group belong to an association such as AAA that might entitle you to a discount? Inquiring about the cheapest times to go and membership discounts can often provide some extra savings or perks.
Start saving early. "Planning nine to 12 months in advance can afford you the opportunity to start a 'Girlfriend Getaway' fund," recommends McDermott. "My sisters and I are planning a trip, so as a group we opened a money market account with a great interest rate and we send [in] a check each month. That way we won't be hit with a big bill when we have to put down the deposit, and if there is any left it is brought along for entertainment."
Being flexible can pay off. Darden originally looked into cruises in the Caribbean for her girls' getaway, but ultimately decided "getting on and off the boat each day and being restricted about the time we were in port was a turnoff. So, we aimed for the Bahamas—it is not too far of a trip for [three] East Coast girls, and airfare is reasonable as well."
Whatever shape your trip takes, remember to weigh what's important to your group, and leave time in your schedule to relax and reconnect. "Though girlfriend getaways are driving the latest trend in travel, many women are still struggling with allowing themselves the opportunity to actually go on trips," says McDermott. "They need to acknowledge that their getaway is not about leaving their family and responsibilities behind, but it's about empowerment, growth, and entitlement."
"A long weekend was the perfect solution," says Darden. "Enough time to forget your stress, but not so long that you become homesick. This was a perfect mental health break for me."
 Girlfriend Getaways
Going Dutch
June 2006
Nothing puts a damper on a good time with your girls more than worrying about who is going to pay for what. College friends Sandra Mahoney and Valerie McDermott, founders of million-dollar-mama.com, a Web site dedicated to girlfriend getaways, offer these tips to manage your budget and maintain your friendships.
START A FUND. Prior to the trip, pick a financially savvy friend to open a savings account or a certificate of deposit (CD) at a local bank. Each month everyone puts $20 into the vacation fund, which as a bonus, is also accruing interest. When you book the trip, you'll already have a stash of cash.
PAY BACK. When one friend charges a deposit for the hotel room, divvy up the balance and immediately write a check out to her credit card company. That curbs any temptation on her part to spend the money before the bill comes. Or visit groople.com, a group travel Web site, where each person pays individually so one doesn't have to shell out the money up front.
LET IT GO. Stop keeping track of who ordered what entree and how much more it costs than yours. It's not worth losing a friendship over a few dollars. If your meal costs more, chip in a few extra dollars. As friends, it's all abut give and take.
DON'T CONFRONT. Your've all been back from vacation for months, yet one friend still hasn't paid her share and your credit-card bill is due. Ask her about it privately, it could be, for example, that she simply forgot because she's been crazed at work or she's embarrassed to admit that her husband lost his job. Offer her payment options, and reassure her that you're willing to work with her to settle the balance. - M.W.
You can Benefit from Girlfriend Getaways
Blizzard Internet Marketing, Inc.
Published: Friday, March 24, 2006
http://newsletter.blizzardinternet.com/tiy-can-benefit-from-girlfriend-getaways/2006/03/24/
“Girlfriend Getaways” are a growing trend in the travel industry. In a survey of 1,500 women recently featured in USA Today, 50% had taken an all-female trip in the past three years, and 88% either currently had plans for a “no-men allowed” vacation, or would be interested in participating in one if presented with the opportunity.
The prolific rise in popularity in women-only travel has spawned an insurgence in the number of websites catering specifically to their needs. JourneyWoman.com has received substantial press, including two recent inclusions in Time and People magazines. WomensTravelClub.com and Million-Dollar-Mama.com have also joined in catering to the needs of female travelers - the latter has even released a free Nationwide Girlfriend Getaway Guide, “BYOG! for Bring Your Own Girlfiriends!”, that lists resorts, hotels, spas, inns, and bed and breakfasts that feature specials and packages for women-only weekends.
Thinking about focusing on this bureoning market? Read on.
According to a 2002 survey of women conducted by John Portman and Associates, most women prefer to stay in a chain hotel because of their familiarity with the quality of their rooms and services. However, when asked if they would be more attracted to a smaller, personalized property over 93% answered yes - strongly suggesting that smaller inns may enjoy a large response if they get on board. The size of your property shouldn’t be an issue when deciding whether or not to cater to this niche; rather, implementing the amenities and services women want, as well as putting together female getaway specials and packages, can make your lodging property more attractive to women and may increase your business during some slower times of the year.
Safety remains a high priority for female travelers - more so when they travel alone than as a group. However, beefing up your security with electronic locks, utilizing exterior doors that are timed to lock after a certain hour of day, and providing single-sex floors and jogging companions are all details that can make your female guests feel that they are in a safe environment while they stay with you.
Implementing and advertising amenities that are specific to women travelers is also a great way to show that you’re aware of their wants and needs. Women consistently cite quality of service as a more important lodging consideration than do men. If possible, stock items such as personal care products, make-up mirrors and hairdryers, heating pads, and robes and slippers in each room. Offer comfortable bedding, a complimentary wine hour, oversized bathtubs, and in-room spa services. If you are unable to provide spa services directly on your property, make a deal with a nearby day-spa to which you can refer your female guests.
Specials and packages are the most effective way to draw business from female travelers. Most women credit the creativity of the specials with catching their attention, so try to vary your packages to include a range of activities. In-room manicures, chilled champagne, massages, facials, spa services, movies, wine tasting, and any female-oriented local attractions can be mixed and matched to provide a number of options to your guests. Try combining some of them in different packages and start advertising on websites that are specific to the niche. Make sure you show specials on your website, too.
Branch out a bit from the norm if you have exclusive or specific services. One Blizzard Internet Marketing client, The Home Ranch, is a dude ranch and bed and breakfast near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Though some might not think of a dude ranch catering to female travelers, this property has chosen to pursue the market, with very successful results. They put together a week-long clinic specifically for women entitled “Intuitive Horsemanship - an Equestrian Yoga Retreat for Women”, and dedicated an entire webpage to their Women’s Retreat.
The point is that you don’t have to be an exclusively female-oriented property to benefit from marketing to women. The idea is to work with what you have and to get creative with the possibilities. “Girlfriend Getaways” have risen in popularity so quickly and prominently that it’s hard to imagine that they won’t enjoy longevity. Utilizing some of these suggestions will help you capture some of that market segment.
Author: Matt Creer - Blizzard Internet Marketing, Inc.
Women's Travel Takes Off
Two new Canadian companies start
Ottawa Citizen
Published: Saturday, December 17, 2005
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/travel/story.html?id=0884c0e5-a43b-46f1-9984-0f704f7dd969
For many women, the appeal of Broad Horizons is the chance to take a trip and leave the family behind. Ironically, it is because Susan Pearson is a mother that she created the all-female travel network in the first place. Pearson spent years encouraging her four children to see the world. Then, when they did, she wished she could see it too.
It wasn't just the sights of foreign countries that she envied. It was how her children would come home changed -- they seemed no longer afraid to try new things.
Pearson decided she'd no longer be afraid to try new things either. After years of working in the travel industry, this year she launched Broad Horizons with a "maiden voyage" to Northern Island and Dublin; 42 women came along.
Broad Horizons has since taken women on a sold-out Mediterrean cruise (10 of the women from the Ireland trip came along) and is now offering trips to Scotland, China and Peru.
Pearson, who lives near Sarnia, said there's no trouble finding interested women to sign up.
It's a sign that the women-only travel trend is trekking along, with married, single, widowed and divorced women now able to choose from a wide range of destinations and travel styles. This fall, the Lake Louise Inn offered all-female "Mountain Escape Retreats," complete with yoga, mountain hikes and seminars on everything from raising teenagers to West African drumming. In the U.S., Million-Dollar-Mama.com's recently published B.Y.O.G. (bring your own girlfriend) Nationwide Girlfriend Getaway Guide offers information and promotions for all-female vacations that range from bed-and-breakfast journeys to beach getaways.
What is the appeal of all-female travel? Pearson, 52, said she knew her trip to Ireland was serving its purpose when she watched the women start to turn into girls. It's important for women to do that, she said.
"They throw off all the notions of what they're supposed to be like -- you're a mother, you're a wife -- and there are a lot of laughs. They don't care if they say something silly."
As Million-Dollar-Mama.com puts it, girlfriend-trips let women reclaim the interests they may have put aside while having a family -- something Pearson says she hears again and again.
"Many women tell me, 'For years I never did the type of thing I wanted to do,' because the husbands wanted to go to Florida or golf or go on a fishing trip, but the women wanted to be going to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. The good thing now is that many husbands are now saying, 'go for it.'
"I think it's really important to be married to someone who encourages you to pursue things that you're interested in."
Like Susan Pearson, Toronto-based Jackie DeKnock, 43, was inspired by her own life when she created a travel company recently. After years in the travel industry, she combined her two passions -- cooking and travel -- as the recipe for Gourmet Safari. Participants can learn about French food and wine and stay at a Loire Valley farmhouse ("Art de Vivre," from $2,795 for four nights) or try their hand at making canneloni and wild fig preserves while staying near the border of Tuscany and Umbria ("Casa Italiano," from $2,245).
Though Gourmet Safari doesn't explicitly limit itself to women, that's who DeKnock is targeting. Two years of market research showed that 80 per cent of people interested in culinary travel are women, she said.
So what are they looking for in a trip? Flexibility, an authentic experience and being outside a country's major centres, DeKnock said.
"Women like to get a feel for the environment and culture," which is also what learning about foreign cuisine is all about, she said.
Both Pearson and DeKnock say baby-boomer women make up the majority of their clientele. Why? Boomer women are realizing that life is short and they want to experience as much as they can, Pearson said. They're also confident, like to learn and don't feel guilty about doing their own thing, she adds.
"It's self-gifting. They know that experiencing new things is going to give them a feeling of gratification and feeling enriched."
For more self-gifting ideas, go to www.broadhorizonsnetwork.com and www.gourmetsafari.com
Author: Mary Gordon is an Ottawa writer.
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