Growing

They set off on their own, but they don’t necessarily travel solo. For several years now, group travel designed for people who want to depart without their usual companions has been on a notable rise, particularly among women. The phenomenon crosses well beyond French borders and accompanies an evolution in lifestyle and travel habits.

On the occasion of Copines de Voyage’s ten-year anniversary, a historic pioneer and leader of the 100% female segment, we spoke with Alexiane Eymard, Deputy Chief Executive of Hello Travel – the group that owns the brand – and Vanessa Robbe, head of brand development for Les Aventureurs (the group’s mixed-gender variant), to understand who these new travelers are and what they seek in these group departures.

Who are today’s women who choose to travel with a group on their own?

Alexiane Eymard : There is no longer a single typical profile. Ten years ago, the traveler was usually 25, often single, and looking for people with whom to share life moments. Today, our traveler tends to be around 37. And most importantly, these are women who decide to travel on their own, which isn’t the same as traveling solo. Some are married or in a relationship, have children, and lead a very active social life.

But they no longer want to wait for their circle to be available, to share the same desires, or to have the same budget. That’s a lot of variables to synchronize. A few years ago, women tended to organize their vacations around their partner, their family, or their friends. Today, they grant themselves more of this freedom.

There are still women who have little support around them and for whom group travel represents an opening to the collective, but they are not the majority. The profile has really diversified. They are more often urban women living in large metropolitan areas and belonging to upper-mid socio-professional categories.

Does this willingness to travel alone mean they are seeking to meet new people?

Alexiane Eymard : That isn’t necessarily their primary intention. One should not caricature women’s desires. The same person might crave a wellness stay at one moment and, a few months later, a much more adventurous trip. Their aspirations evolve with their life moment, available time, or level of fatigue.

Nevertheless, the group forges bonds. What brings people together is primarily the shared desire to discover a destination and to experience the same thing. Profiles can be very different, with sometimes significant age gaps, but there is a sense of affinity tied to this common choice.

Is this logic also found among travelers in mixed groups?

Vanessa Robbe : Yes, although profiles and trips differ. Our clients are generally around 34 years old and about 60% are women. They are often not on their first trip and are already comfortable with a bit of rugged travel. Traveling in a group enables them to undertake a journey they wouldn’t necessarily have been able to do with their usual circle.

The difference is that with Les Aventureurs, the group is built around a genuine adventure experience. Some trips involve sleeping in a tent, going on a road trip with a roof tent, sailing or hiking, with a desire to venture further off the beaten path. Not everyone is seeking physical exertion or total discomfort. Some want to experience an adventure without necessarily pushing themselves into the red. That’s why there are different levels of commitment.

Can group travel actually help some women dare to do more?

Vanessa Robbe : Yes, especially for the more demanding experiences. Being surrounded by women can be reassuring. A woman who wants to, for example, summit Mont Blanc may fear in a mixed group that she’ll slow others down. Being among women who potentially share the same fears can be a trigger to take the plunge.

It isn’t necessarily about networking. It’s more about being with people who resemble us in certain ways and with whom we share the same apprehensions. The group can provide enough confidence to attempt an experience we might not have dared to undertake alone.

Does the search for a romantic partner sometimes factor into mixed groups?

Vanessa Robbe : It’s possible, as in everyday life, but here it isn’t the primary aim. People come first for the journey and the experience. If two people are meant to meet, it can happen, whatever the setting.

How do you measure the scope of this evolution?

Alexiane Eymard : Since the creation of Copines de Voyage in 2016 and Les Aventureurs in 2017, when Copines de Voyage began with two pioneering travelers, more than 100,000 trips have been sold by the two brands. Approximately 60,000 people have traveled with us. That means a substantial share return multiple times. Some veteran travelers have even joined us a dozen times, or more.

This loyalty also enables observing a shift in preferences. The early destinations that performed very well included Bali and Sri Lanka for long-haul trips, or Spain and Greece for closer destinations. But women who have already traveled multiple times are starting to drift toward destinations they might not have considered otherwise.

China is a good example. Mozambique is also a destination we are opening up, particularly for those who enjoyed Zanzibar but are now seeking something less touristy. This also shows that these travelers, as they accumulate experiences, do not necessarily want to endlessly revisit the same popular destinations. They are more willing to step off the beaten path to turn toward less obvious destinations.

Are new requests emerging?

Vanessa Robbe : Yes, we will offer trips that enable women to travel with their children. The idea is to allow those who face logistical and family constraints to travel nonetheless, alongside other mothers who share the same situation. They will be able to share a destination and a common experience, while traveling with their children.