Words: Ashley Rigg
Published: 11th November 2009
Increasing trend for single sex accommodation
Hotels, spas and tour operators are increasingly offering single-sex packages to appeal to a growing population of young women in the Middle East, reveals the Travel Market Global Trends Report 2009.
Suppliers are now offering concepts such as female-only floors in hotels, women-only tours and in one case, the Luthan Hotel & Spa in Saudi Arabia, a female-only hotel.
Broad appeal
Although Saudi Arabia and Iran are biggest markets, the concept is becoming increasingly popular in overseas property destinations like Egypt and Morocco.
The report predicts the concept could be broadened to appeal in less-conservative destinations by linking it to health and wellness and including the spa element with additional opportunities in medical tourism.
At Global edge, we have noticed an increase in the number of developers keen to target agents and buyers in destinations like Dubai. From a western perspective, the Middle East can be a difficult market to crack. Cultural differences are significant and creating overseas property concepts that appeal requires thought and planning. Female-only facilities could be one part of the jigsaw for developers serious about this market.
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eTurbo News.
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