Intrepid Travel has introduced a women’s-only tour in Saudi Arabia that is led by women and aimed at providing a more authentic experience for travelers while supporting the growing female labor force in the country. This tour comes at a time when Saudi women have been granted more rights, including the right to drive and work as tour guides. The tour will focus on showcasing female-owned establishments and giving travelers the opportunity to interact with local women who own businesses, guides, and run restaurants.
The tour is designed to give travelers a unique experience by showcasing family-owned citrus farms, rock formations, and historical sites in Saudi Arabia. Through partnerships with local agents like Sara Omar, who has previously focused on planning trips for Saudi women to explore other parts of the world, Intrepid is able to offer a tour that allows travelers to engage with the local culture and learn about the lifestyle of Saudi women. The tour also aims to provide a more authentic experience for travelers who are looking for meaningful interactions with locals, rather than a mainstream luxury experience.
The women-led tours in Saudi Arabia are part of a larger trend at Intrepid, which has also launched similar tours in other countries like India, Nepal, Morocco, Jordan, and Pakistan. These tours cater to female travelers above 50 who are seeking solo meaningful experiences in lesser-visited countries. The tours have grown in popularity and have had a positive economic impact on the women involved. For example, the women-led trekking tour in Morocco, launched in 2018, now has 20 departures per year, providing job opportunities for local women.
Intrepid is focusing on expanding their women-led tours to other regions, with Asia being a potential target for future tours. The success of these tours shows that there is a demand for more authentic travel experiences that allow travelers to engage with local communities and support female entrepreneurs. By highlighting female-owned businesses and promoting cultural exchange, Intrepid is contributing to the empowerment of women in the tourism industry and providing travelers with unique and immersive experiences in destinations like Saudi Arabia.
The launch of the women’s-only tour in Saudi Arabia reflects a shift in the travel industry towards more meaningful and authentic experiences for travelers. By focusing on showcasing female-owned establishments and promoting local engagement, Intrepid is able to offer a tour that goes beyond the mainstream luxury experiences that are often associated with travel in Saudi Arabia. The tour provides an opportunity for travelers to interact with local women and learn about the culture and lifestyle of Saudi women, while also supporting the growing female labor force in the country.
Overall, the women-led tours in Saudi Arabia and other countries represent a growing trend in the travel industry towards more authentic and meaningful travel experiences. By partnering with local agents and focusing on supporting female entrepreneurs, Intrepid is able to offer tours that provide economic opportunities for women and empower local communities. As the demand for women-led tours continues to grow, Intrepid is looking to expand their offerings to new regions, providing travelers with immersive experiences that promote cultural exchange and local engagement.