Small Group Tours See Resurgence Driven by Women and Solo Travelers

Small group tours have gained renewed interest in recent years, particularly among women and solo travelers, despite ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Altaï, a major French player in the sector, announced its acquisition by Intrepid Travel, an Australian company described as a global leader in the market.

A 35-year-old accounting professional from Marseille, identified only as Marine, shared her experience with a women-only small group tour to Bali. She stated that her friends were unable to join due to vacation constraints, relationships, or finances, leading her to travel with 10 strangers.

Marine noted that the organized nature of the tour and its women-only composition provided reassurance, especially as she had not traveled far previously.

reported positive memories from the Bali trip and subsequent tours with Copines de Voyage to the Balearic Islands and the Maldives. She mentioned forming lasting friendships, including serving as a bridesmaid at a wedding of someone she met during the Bali tour.

Copines de Voyage, part of the Altaï group, organizes such tours. Emilie Straub, manager of the brand, stated that most participants are between 25 and 55 years old, primarily women from higher socio-professional backgrounds, with the vast majority signing up alone.

Straub added that participants include single women and those in relationships who travel without their partners for various reasons.

These tours are presented as a way to discover the world through shared interests, addressing aspects of modern life such as loneliness and digital fatigue. A photo from a Copines de Voyage trip in Namibia in October 2024 illustrates such experiences.