WHY IT RATES: Traveling as a solo parent can be intimidating and expensive. Intrepid's exciting new tours recognize this and offer a welcome option for this underserved demographic.-Mia Taylor, TravelPulse Senior Writer.
Intrepid Travel, the world's largest adventure travel company, recently unveiled six new tours specifically designed for solo parents and their children. A first of its kind, the company says it is long overdue for the travel industry to cater to single parents.
These dedicated solo parent itineraries allow children to bond and form friendships with other children in the group while giving a single parent (or a parent traveling without their spouse) the unique opportunity to travel with adults in similar family dynamics.
While many family travel experiences are priced based on double occupancy, Intrepid Travel's new tours are offered at no additional cost. Making family travel even more affordable, all children aged 17 years and younger receive a 10 percent discount off the price of their trip.
"You only need to look at family holiday packages widely advertised by the travel industry to see they cater to two parents and two children," said Dyan McKie, brand manager family adventures, Intrepid Travel, and a single mom herself. "In many ways, this assumption is archaic and doesn't reflect today's families. The travel industry caters to so many niche groups but solo parents have been ignored for too long."
According to the United States Census Bureau's current population survey, 27 percent of children under the age of 18 live in single-parent households, while lone-parent families now make up 19.2 percent of Canadian households with children, according to a recent Stats Canada survey.
Sixteen percent of Intrepid Travel family bookings were single parents and their children in the year ending September 2017. Anecdotally, the company is experiencing increased inquiries and requests from single parents.
To cater to this demand and include tours for all types of families, Intrepid Travel designed new trips specifically for single-parent families in Costa Rica, Thailand, Northern India, Egypt, Vietnam, and Morocco. These destinations were intentionally chosen to make it easier for solo parents as they could otherwise feel intimidated to travel to these destinations alone with their children. The six new tours include:
Costa Rica Family Holiday - For Solo Parents (15 days) - Families get active in a range of adventurous activities such as white-water rafting, horse riding, hiking through jungles to waterfalls, flying through the treetops on a zip line, and gliding through the waterways of Tortuguero National Park to seek out monkeys and turtles by foot and boat. From $3,185 USD.
Northern India Family Holiday - For Solo Parents (10 Days) - Taste sizzling curries in Delhi, stroll through the 'Pink City' of Jaipur and take in the famous Taj Mahal. From $1,080 USD.
Egypt Family Holiday - For Solo Parents (9 Days) - Cruise the Nile in a Felucca, have dinner with a Nubian family and ride a camel during this tour that blends all the must-see highlights with plenty of adventurous, off the beaten-track activities. From $1,035 USD.
Morocco Family Holiday - For Solo Parents (8 days) - Journey from Marrakech to the old pirate port of Essaouira, covering everything from camel-clad deserts to pristine beaches along the way. From $555 USD.
Thailand Family Holiday - For Solo Parents (12 Days) - Visit the legendary Bridge on the River Kwai near Kanchanaburi, explore ancient ruins at Ayuthaya, shop in colorful markets in Bangkok and visit an Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. From $1,485 USD.
Vietnam Family Holiday - For Solo Parents (13 Days) - Enjoy a cyclo tour of Hanoi, sleep under the stars while cruising the natural wonder of Halong Bay and get tailor-made outfits in Hoi An. From $1,350 USD
"Intrepid Travel's new trips offer a completely dedicated product for solo parent families. Led by local leaders in each destination, these itineraries provide parents with some much-deserved rest and relaxation, while taking the pressure off them to plan and entertain at all times," said Leigh Barnes, director of North America, Intrepid Travel. "As single-parent households are increasing in North America, it's time for the travel industry to take notice and ensure all kinds of families are being accommodated and are being offered travel opportunities that are fun, adventurous and affordable."
For more information or to book, visit: https://www.intrepidtravel.com /en/theme/family/single-parent
SOURCE: Intrepid press release
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