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Travel Trends: How do men and women travel differently?
We all know that men and women are different -- different bodies, different brains, different planets of origin -- but how different are they when it comes to travel?
Both men and women average the same number of domestic trips per year (3), spend about as much money per foreign trip ($2,479 for men, $2,357 for women), and spend about the same on luggage in a year ($111 for men, $107 for women). They're also equally likely to be asked for travel advice, and they're equally likely to qualify as Four-Percenters.*
But, anyone who's ever argued with a travel companion of the opposite sex knows that sometimes you just have different priorities -- sightseeing versus sunbathing, planned versus spontaneous, cultural enrichment versus thrill-seeking, guided tour versus package. Do you side with the majority within your sex? Have you ever had a conflict with an opposite-sex travel partner because of travel styles? Can we really chalk it all up to hormones?
Take a look at the data and tell us what you think.
*Four-Percenters are defined as individuals who took 3+ foreign trips in the past 3 years AND 3+ domestic trips in the past 12 months. They represent 3.4% of the US population.
[Data source: 2009 Survey of the American Consumer]
See more Travel Trends.
Both men and women average the same number of domestic trips per year (3), spend about as much money per foreign trip ($2,479 for men, $2,357 for women), and spend about the same on luggage in a year ($111 for men, $107 for women). They're also equally likely to be asked for travel advice, and they're equally likely to qualify as Four-Percenters.*
But, anyone who's ever argued with a travel companion of the opposite sex knows that sometimes you just have different priorities -- sightseeing versus sunbathing, planned versus spontaneous, cultural enrichment versus thrill-seeking, guided tour versus package. Do you side with the majority within your sex? Have you ever had a conflict with an opposite-sex travel partner because of travel styles? Can we really chalk it all up to hormones?
Take a look at the data and tell us what you think.
*Four-Percenters are defined as individuals who took 3+ foreign trips in the past 3 years AND 3+ domestic trips in the past 12 months. They represent 3.4% of the US population.
[Data source: 2009 Survey of the American Consumer]
See more Travel Trends.
Filed under: Business, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sprint Apr 13th 2010 10:46PM
Can't say I agre or dis agree with your survey but men are into adventure and expolration so it wouldn't surprise me if women want their trips more controled and safe. What I do disagree with id you saying men and women travel the same number of trips per year. I t6arveled a lot on my job. There were always more men than women traveling (salesmen, businessmen, Government etc. Plus vacations). Women don't travel as often as men. Who ever told yopu that was wrong.
Stephanie Apr 21st 2010 11:04AM
Well women generally have to worry about their personal safety in ways that men do not, so I suspect that is part of the reason why they lean towards package tours. There are places I would not necessarily be comfortable visiting solo that men might be more confident about.
Saying men are more into exploration and adventure is a baseless stereotype however, Sprint. And while your anecdotal evidence may be different then mine, as a woman traveler I have run into many, many women travelers both solo and in groups. I don't think you can really make a wide assessment just based on what you personally have seen in your own little sphere.
MAUREEN FODGE Apr 14th 2010 4:06AM
do not alert me or remember me i for got to un check the boxes ok not my system thank you!
TONY Apr 14th 2010 5:27AM
NOW MY LIFE IS COMPLETE....HOW COULD I HAVE EVER EXISTED WITHOUT THIS WORTHLESS SURVEY...CANNOT BELIEVE ANYONE WOULD WASTE TIME MONEY OR ENERGY TO DOCUMENT SUCH CRAP...