Back in January, we pointed out how Gen X travellers account for US$15 trillion in global travel spending, and how the female side of the group is seriously into wellness travel, especially given the state of their health at this point in time.
A collaborative report released in May of last year by FP Analytics and Bayer cites that over a billion women the world over are undergoing perimenopause or menopause itself.
The United Nations Data Portal has also pointed out that women in the age bracket ranging from 45 to 55 years of age will account for around six percent of the total global population by 2030.
Get this, too: the majority of today’s solo female travellers are over the age of 45, driven to trek the world by the onslaught of changes in their lives which range from shifts in their health, relationship issues, as well as finding themselves with an empty nest.
However, women travelling at that age also find themselves challenged by the way their minds and bodies are changing, and travel agencies or independent agents need to take such changes into consideration when recommending trips.
A specialised niche
Women who are contemplating trips whilst in the throes of perimenopause, that significant period just before the body shifts into full-blown menopause, consider journeys that are more relaxing than hectic.
Especially for those who are at the prime of their careers, such getaways are necessary as challenges both in and out of the workplace take their toll on their physical and mental health, fuelling a need for some much-needed (and often delayed) R&R.
This has resulted in what are known as menopause retreats, tours or cruises which serve to educate middle-aged women about the current phase of their lives, the symptoms they need to deal with, and methods with which to deal with them.
Such retreats focus on symptom identification and management in cooler environments that take the edge off dreaded hot flashes, and often include lectures on hormonal health and curated experiences that are in sync with individual schedules and energy levels.
These retreats also serve as an opportunity for women to get the necessary moral and emotional support they need during this difficult time, along with professional help from mental health specialists, gynaecologists, dietitians, and fitness coaches.
According to Melissa Briggs Bradley, founder and CEO of Indagare, menopause retreats have become necessary as: “So many conversations on our trips have steered to the physical changes of the 40s and 50s and how to navigate them. Women were starved for information.”
What professionals can do to help
While more women of a certain age are travelling for both business and leisure, not all of them will have access to menopause retreats depending on which part of the world they’re from.
In which case, travel agents and tour companies need to incorporate a number of elements into itineraries designed for this specific market.
These include:
- Less locations but more time to explore Unlike tours designed for more active girls from Gen Z and Gen Alpha, tours for this particular market should play on the concepts less is more and quality over quantity. It pays to have itineraries with fewer locations that participants can explore at their own pace, giving them the opportunity to learn more and immerse themselves without feeling rushed or stressed;
- Cooler, more comfortable accommodations and locations Temperature management is a challenge for those undergoing hormonal changes, hence the need for properly cooled and ventilated accommodations, locations, as well as transportation. Also, hydration matters, so both drinking water and cooling towels are necessary rather than optional; and
- Keep travellers’ health a major priority Especially for packaged tours, tour operators and agents need to know the dietary needs and preferences of their clients to ensure both optimal nutrition and enjoyment at meals. It may also be necessary for a trained medical professional to be a part of the tour team in the event of any incidents. Guides should also allow for rest periods for travellers to recover their energy, enabling them to make the most out of the experience.
