Industry responds to ‘power girl’ tourism – Newindpress.com

Industry responds to ‘power girl’ tourism – Newindpress.com
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Single women or “power girl” groups form at least 35 percent of the tourists coming to Kerala, especially to its homestays, farmstays and eco-lodges. The industry has responded to the trend by organising ladies-only jungle treks, cycling expeditions and even elephant safaris.

Interestingly, these ladies do not clamour for additional security. “They are empowered in all sense of the term. They just want to shake off their men and be on their own,” says Vancheeswaran of Wynberg Resorts, Wayanad.

For a state that has adopted “responsible tourism” as its new mantra, the ‘ladies only’ influx is most welcome. Says Tourism Director B Suman, “Females are more attuned to responsible tourism. They are drawn intuitively to community welfare.”

The female-driven success of responsibletravel.com underscores the point. “My big thing is to stay at eco-lodges or places with real food and real people, where you get real sense of contributing to the local economy,” says UK doctor Rachel Yearsley, who spent her last holidays alone in a homestay in Kochi.

“If women feel they can travel all by themselves across the length and breadth of the state, what better endorsement do I need,” the Tourism Director asks ”