Study Shows Gender Plays Significant Role in Selecting Travel Destinations

A new survey by
Global Rescue reveals that women and men have distinct preferences when it
comes to choosing their dream travel destinations.

According to the Global
Rescue Summer 2024 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, 35 percent of
experienced travelers place a high priority on visiting places with
breathtaking landscapes, while 31 percent favor destinations that offer
adventurous activities. But, interestingly, the company noted a definite
discrepancy between the preferences of female and male travelers.

For women,
stunning natural landscapes, such as mountains, jungles, savannahs, deserts,
reefs, canyons and glaciers, are the top priority when selecting a destination.
In fact, 37 percent of female respondents indicated that these scenic features
are the most important factor in their travel choices. Meanwhile, the same
percentage of male respondents (37 percent) pointed to adventure activities,
like scuba diving, skiing, mountaineering and trekking, as their primary
consideration.

“Understanding
the preferences of travelers is essential for the travel industry, and our
survey sheds light on the differing priorities based on gender,” said Dan
Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, one of the world’s leading
providers of security, medical and evacuation services, and a member of the
U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
“While women tend to favor the beautiful landscapes and cultural
experiences, men are more inclined to seek out adventure. This insight can help
travel providers tailor their offerings to meet the diverse needs of their
clientele,” he added. 

Beyond nature’s
splendor, women also tend to weigh cultural experiences heavily when it comes
to making travel decisions. Around 15 percent of female respondents highlighted
the importance of engaging with local language, dress, customs and traditions,
indicating a desire for authentic, immersive experiences and forging deeper
connections with their destination. However, only three percent of women
considered factors like events, natural phenomena, architecture, cuisine and
shopping essential in travel planning.

In contrast, men
appear to be less concerned with cultural elements, with just 10 percent
considering cultural diversity as a primary factor in their decision-making
process. Instead, they tend to prioritize not only adventure, but also—similar
to women— landscapes. In fact, 33 percent of male respondents also cited scenic
beauty as an important aspect of their ideal travel destination.

The survey also
revealed some notable discrepancies in men’s versus women’s top dream
destinations. Female travelers expressed a strong interest in visiting places
like Antarctica,
New
Zealand, Iceland,
the
Galapagos Islands, Egypt
and Australia.
Meanwhile, men gravitated toward Australia (particularly the Great Barrier Reef),
Antarctica, New Zealand, Patagonia, Mongolia and various parts of Africa.

“The survey
results highlight the importance of landscapes and adventure in travel choices,
but it also underscores the evolving dynamics of traveler preferences,”
Richards said. “As more women engage in adventure sports and explore
remote destinations, we may see a shift in these preferences in the
future.” 

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