Exclusive Feature: It's often noted that women are the final decision-makers in the family, we organize, categorize, systemize and schedule so that everything - and everyone - runs like clockwork.
Now one report is validating what most women already know: when it comes to making travel plans, it's women who are setting the trends.
A new report by MMGY Global and the Harrison Group confirmed that the not only has the number of affluent travelers risen in the past few years, but the majority of those travelers are women.
The study was conducted in 2013 and surveyed more than 2,500 leisure travelers at various income levels about their vacation habits over the prior 12 months.
One of the more impressive stats from this study revealed that women now make up the majority of these affluent travelers at 54%, up from 42% in 2010.
The report went on also to reveal the following information:
- Women are savvy Internet shoppers. Nine out of 10 affluent women travelers use the Internet to search for trips and find travel suppliers.
- On average, affluent travelers took five vacations during the last 12 months and spent $9,765 on travel during that time period. The same group of travelers also plans to spend upwards of $10,000 on vacations in 2014.
- Affluent travelers are familiar with and use social media. "Significantly more affluent travelers have downloaded travel apps to their smartphones now (49%) than in 2010 (27%)," a statement about the study says.
As for where these affluent travelers are going -- the world is, quite literally, their oyster. While nothing is final until the tickets are purchased, luxury travelers are planning trips to the following countries over the next two years:
- Italy (45%)
- France (41%)
- England (39%)
- Canada (38%)
- Spain (33%)
- Ireland (31%)
- U.S. Virgin Islands (28%)
- St. Maarten (28%)
- New Zealand (28%)
- Australia (27%)
This is strictly an exclusive feature, reprints of this article in any shape or form without prior written approval from 4Hoteliers.com is not permitted.
Melanie Nayer is a hotel reviewer and expert on luxury travel around the world. She has covered all aspects of hotels including corporate restructures, re-branding initiatives, historical aspects and the best of the best in luxury hotels around the world. 
Melanie writes a weekly exclusive column for 4Hoteliers.com 'Exclusive Features' brings Exclusive Sponsorship ~ Contact Us for more... 
