One trend we've noticed taking shape recently is the rising popularity of women-only tours. From on-the-ground adventures in far flung destinations like Saudi Arabia and Morocco to a luxurious river cruise in France’s wine country, there are options galore for today’s so-called “queenagers.” 

In this episode, reporter Tom Stieghorst shares his insights and his reporting, and Shirnett Fleet, the chief marketing officer of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, talks about what women-only tours offer, where the trend is headed and why it's moved from niche to mainstream.

This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded Nov. 21 and has been edited for length and clarity. 

Episode sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises https://www.riverside-cruises.com

Related links 

Women-only tours: A niche that is going mainstream https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/The-growth-of-women-only-tours

A women-only cruise leans into luxury https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Insights/women-only-river-cruise-uniworld-luxury

Uniworld: https://www.uniworld.com

Background on the term 'queenager' https://eleanormills.substack.com/p/eleanors-letter-what-is-a-queenager

 

One trend we've noticed taking shape recently is the rising popularity of women-only tours. From on-the-ground adventures in far flung destinations like Saudi Arabia and Morocco to a luxurious river cruise in France&rsquo;s wine country, there are options galore for today&rsquo;s so-called &ldquo;queenagers.&rdquo;&nbsp;
In this episode, reporter Tom Stieghorst shares his insights and his reporting, and Shirnett Fleet, the chief marketing officer of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, talks about what women-only tours offer, where the trend is headed and why it's moved from niche to mainstream.
This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded Nov. 21 and has been edited for length and clarity.&nbsp;
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises https://www.riverside-cruises.com
Related links 
Women-only tours: A niche that is going mainstream <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/The-growth-of-women-only-tours">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/The-growth-of-women-only-tours</a>
A women-only cruise leans into luxury <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Insights/women-only-river-cruise-uniworld-luxury">https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Insights/women-only-river-cruise-uniworld-luxury</a>
Uniworld: <a href="https://www.uniworld.com">https://www.uniworld.com</a>
Background on the term 'queenager' <a href="https://eleanormills.substack.com/p/eleanors-letter-what-is-a-queenager">https://eleanormills.substack.com/p/eleanors-letter-what-is-a-queenager</a>
&nbsp;

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they’ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they&rsquo;ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Hosted by Rebecca Tobin, managing editor of Travel Weekly

The Folo by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week. 

In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about.  

You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do. 

Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week.&nbsp;
In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about. &nbsp;
You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do.&nbsp;
Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

The rise of women-only tours: A Winter Series episode

On this episode we’re going to tuck in to a portion of the flying experience that you might be surprised to hear about: food.

In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin, aviation editor Robert Silk and Joe Leader, the CEO of the International Flight Services Association, talk about the growth of good eating in all cabins, tech developments that make food service more efficient and more interesting, and why food tastes different at cruising altitude. Plus: Pre-ordering and new complimentary meal service on transcontinental routes.

Winter series: 

This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Sept. 29 and has been edited for length and clarity. 

Related links:

Airline food innovators have high aspirations: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Airline-food-innovators-have-high-aspirations

International Flight Services Association: https://ifsa.aero/

On this episode we&rsquo;re going to tuck in to a portion of the flying experience that you might be surprised to hear about: food.
In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin, aviation editor Robert Silk and Joe Leader, the CEO of the International Flight Services Association, talk about the growth of good eating in all cabins, tech developments that make food service more efficient and more interesting, and why food tastes different at cruising altitude. Plus: Pre-ordering and new complimentary meal service on transcontinental routes.
Winter series: 
This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Sept. 29 and has been edited for length and clarity.&nbsp;
Related links:
Airline food innovators have high aspirations: <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Airline-food-innovators-have-high-aspirations">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Airline-food-innovators-have-high-aspirations</a>
International Flight Services Association: <a href="https://ifsa.aero/">https://ifsa.aero/</a>

The thinking behind airplane meals -- a Winter Series episode

We're focusing on an emerging branch of artificial intelligence called agentic AI – that is, an AI tool that can, essentially, act like a booking agent, all the way up to making a reservation on the traveler’s behalf. It acts like an agent – but is it a threat to human travel advisors? And what does agentic AI mean for the OTA model, supplier customer service and travelers themselves?

On this episode, McKinsey and Co.’s Vik Krishnan and Travel Weekly aviation editor Robert Silk talk with host Rebecca Tobin about the latest developments in agentic AI and travel and where the technology could lead us. 

Episode sponsor 

This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com

Winter series: 

This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Nov. 24 and has been edited for length and clarity. 

Related links

Agentic AI turns searches into sales https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Technology/Agentic-AI-turns-searches-to-sales

Hotel and flight bookings are coming to Google's AI Mode https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Technology/Hotel-and-flight-bookings-coming-to-Google-AI-Mode

We're focusing on an emerging branch of artificial intelligence called agentic AI &ndash; that is, an AI tool that can, essentially, act like a booking agent, all the way up to making a reservation on the traveler&rsquo;s behalf. It acts like an agent &ndash; but is it a threat to human travel advisors? And what does agentic AI mean for the OTA model, supplier customer service and travelers themselves?
On this episode, McKinsey and Co.&rsquo;s Vik Krishnan and Travel Weekly aviation editor Robert Silk talk with host Rebecca Tobin about the latest developments in agentic AI and travel and where the technology could lead us.&nbsp;
Episode sponsor 
This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways <a href="https://www.amawaterways.com">https://www.amawaterways.com</a>
Winter series: 
This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Nov. 24 and has been edited for length and clarity.&nbsp;
Related links
Agentic AI turns searches into sales <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Technology/Agentic-AI-turns-searches-to-sales">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Technology/Agentic-AI-turns-searches-to-sales</a>
Hotel and flight bookings are coming to Google's AI Mode <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Technology/Hotel-and-flight-bookings-coming-to-Google-AI-Mode">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Technology/Hotel-and-flight-bookings-coming-to-Google-AI-Mode</a>

How agentic AI could change travel. Is it a threat? -- a Winter Series episode

This week we’re talking about a story that came to be after unveiling of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ upcoming Skyview Regent Suite. It's a veritable mansion-at-sea with a private gym, sauna, bar and dining room that seats 12. And what's more surprising than the price? The fact that it was booked within one minute on 10 of 13 itineraries. Or perhaps that's not a surprise. Advisors tell us that there are countdowns to sales launches and wait lists for the newest crop of ultra-palatial, ultra-big, ultra-luxurious cruise ship suites.

With luxury advisor Carlos Edery and cruise editor Teri West, we look at what these top suites look like and what amenities they come with. Who are the customers and what do they want in a vacation? Is there a challenge of keeping up with guest expectations? And, of course, what might come next. 

Episode sponsor 

This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com

Winter series: 

This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Nov. 3 and has been edited for length and clarity. 

Related links: 

Focus on Cruise cover story: The megasuite is bigger than ever https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/The-cruise-megasuite-is-bigger-than-ever

Regent Seven Seas Prestige suite will reach for new levels of opulence https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Skyview-Regent-Suite-unveiled-for-Seven-Seas-Prestige

From the archives: A look at luxury accommodations at sea (August 2005) https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/A-look-at-luxury-accommodations

Luxury Cruise Connections https://luxurycruiseconnections.com/

CruiseWorld: https://www.cruiseworldshow.com

This week we&rsquo;re talking about a story that came to be after unveiling of Regent Seven Seas Cruises&rsquo; upcoming Skyview Regent Suite. It's a veritable mansion-at-sea with a private gym, sauna, bar and dining room that seats 12. And what's more surprising than the price? The fact that it was booked within one minute on 10 of 13 itineraries. Or perhaps that's not a surprise. Advisors tell us that there are countdowns to sales launches and wait lists for the newest crop of ultra-palatial, ultra-big, ultra-luxurious cruise ship suites.
With luxury advisor Carlos Edery and cruise editor Teri West, we look at what these top suites look like and what amenities they come with. Who are the customers and what do they want in a vacation? Is there a challenge of keeping up with guest expectations? And, of course, what might come next.&nbsp;
Episode sponsor 
This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways <a href="https://www.amawaterways.com">https://www.amawaterways.com</a>
Winter series: 
This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Nov. 3 and has been edited for length and clarity.&nbsp;
Related links:&nbsp;
Focus on Cruise cover story: The megasuite is bigger than ever <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/The-cruise-megasuite-is-bigger-than-ever">https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/The-cruise-megasuite-is-bigger-than-ever</a>
Regent Seven Seas Prestige suite will reach for new levels of opulence <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Skyview-Regent-Suite-unveiled-for-Seven-Seas-Prestige">https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Skyview-Regent-Suite-unveiled-for-Seven-Seas-Prestige</a>
From the archives: A look at luxury accommodations at sea (August 2005) <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/A-look-at-luxury-accommodations">https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/A-look-at-luxury-accommodations</a>
Luxury Cruise Connections <a href="https://luxurycruiseconnections.com/">https://luxurycruiseconnections.com/</a>
CruiseWorld: <a href="https://www.cruiseworldevent.com">https://www.cruiseworldshow.com</a>

The rise of women-only tours: A Winter Series episode

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