Cover Story
Giving Wings To Itchy Feet
Women on Wanderlust ( WOW ) founder Sumitra Senapaty shares the joys of managing a women-only travel club
Sumitra Senapaty Founder , Women on Wanderlust ( WOW )
The Wanderlust idea took birth 14 summers ago , not as a tour agency , but an all-women travel club that would act as an alternative social platform for like-minded women . We have come a long way from the days when women were content staying within the confines of their immediate circles .
The thing that works best for WOW is word-of-mouth recommendations , although social media and peer influence too have boosted the aspirations of women . We have taken women on heritage tours , nature walks , wine-andcheese sessions , movies and so on . We provide accommodation in good 4 / 5-star hotels located in city centres , not on the outskirts . Our group size is always between 12 and 18 people – not a big crowd that moves along , but a like-minded group of women who interact well with one other . Our coaches are spacious , comfortable , and sometimes half-empty , so that we can have a relaxed ride .
Our trips come loaded with local experiences that include culture , cuisine , and informative tour guides , accompanied by a team leader known as the WOW Buddy .
At the same time , our trips are not super-luxurious ; they are value for money and provide the exact services that women want . In fact , our service starts when the Wanderer first books the trip ; we give detailed tips and information and then provide doorstep service for collecting cheques , money , and passport – like an internal courier .
While it is true that there are varied budgets and not all can afford the most expensive trips ( like Antarctica , which costs `6 to `8 lakh ), we have affordable trips to many other places . Destinations covered so far include Antarctica , China , Japan , Ladakh , Bhutan ,
Upcoming Tours
Domestic Tours Kashmir
Dates : May 5 to 11 , 2018 ( 6 Nights / 7 Days )
Cost : `39,900 Ladakh
Dates : May 19 to 26 , 2018 ( 7 Nights / 8 Days )
Cost : Ex-Delhi - `59,350 ; Ex-Mumbai : `75,350
International Tours Wandering In Europe
Dates : May 2 to May 12 , 2018 ( 10 nights / 11 days )
Cost : `1,58,000
Rajasthan , Kenya , USA , Peru , Europe , Iran , Israel , Australia , New Zealand , Maldives and more .
There are many travel operators who offer cheaper rates but they are rarely focussed on quality or on providing unforgettable experiences . Our USP is our special women-friendly experience , and members who are well-heeled – consumers can choose between cheap and quality holidays .
We focus on all-women group travel , as there ’ s safety in numbers . It gives women the option to travel by themselves but also enjoy the comfort and security that a group provides . We have opted to focus on women between the ages of 25 and 65 who have a cosmopolitan outlook on life , and who bring along a sense of humour , adventure , and zeal . Today , we have women across age groups interacting not only on trips but also at subsequent ‘ catch-ups ’.
Age has never been a barrier . In fact , I ’ ve found that women who are in their thirties and are concerned about life in their sixties find comfort in the company of those who are already in that age group . Seeing women twice their age enjoying their lives can be a great confidence booster and a source of aspiration .
Today , WOW has evolved into a closely-knit community of women who are passionate about travel . The WOW Club has taken on an important role in empowering women through travel . It is my greatest joy and satisfaction that I have helped women achieve their dreams .
olmdesk @ outlookindia . com
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