Wander Womaniya prides itself on being the most affordable women's tour and travel planner in the industry.
The stereotype that women need a male companion when traveling is quickly fading. It's no secret that Indian women are now venturing out alone or with friends, exploring unusual destinations and engaging in adventure activities. But it is also true that this is the story of financially independent women living in tier-1 cities, who have thrown off the shackles of patriarchy and are now charting their own path, both literally and metaphorically.
As they say, change begins within a community. So it's a bit unique to see that Wander Womaniya, a travel agency specializing in solo and group trips for women, is the brainchild of a man. But as Anuj Jain says, the desire to start a business for women was born out of brotherly love. “I was passionate about travel and wanted to explore the world, but I was stuck in a corporate job even though it was in the hospitality industry. One day my sister wanted to go on a trip and we couldn't find a safe and suitable group to travel with. This reality sparked the idea of creating a safe and secure women-only travel agency, where parents will feel confident sending their daughters to travel alone,” he shares.
And that's how Wander Womaniya found its niche in 2018. Today, they pride themselves on being the most affordable women's travel and tour operator in the industry, with trips starting at just INR 5,000 . And once you get over the initial surprise of listening to a man pick up the phone in the office of a women-only travel agency, Wander Womaniya promises travelers unforgettable experiences.
But has the travel landscape or the choice of destinations broadened in recent years? Jain thinks so, and that there is still a long way to go. “Initially, solo or group travel for women was limited to cliché destinations with very basic itineraries. However, we now cover destinations that were previously considered inaccessible to solo female travelers. For example, the Philippines, Oman and Uzbekistan. These days, women are not afraid to take the path less traveled,” he shares.
If you are wondering why and how Wander Womaniya is different from a regular travel agency, then Anuj has the perfect explanation. “First and foremost, we have a travel companion on every trip who makes sure we prepare women for destination-specific precautions to take, who bridges the gap between different service providers/locals/carriers so women can focus on exploring the area. destination rather than worrying about logistics. This ensures safety, a very important aspect that deters many women from embarking on their first trip.
In addition to creating a community of female travelers, Wander Womaniya also aims to support local communities and businesses during its tours. “We try to include very local and authentic experiences in our itineraries. For example, in Agra, we take travelers to the Sheroes Hangout Café, run by acid attack survivors, or the Kynd Community in Bali, which promotes veganism and contributes to charities in Indonesia,” shares Anuj.
Since its inception, the company has helped more than 1,000 women take their first solo trip within India, or even outside India. And also find like-minded friends. “Travel has also been therapeutic for many women, as many of them come after a major setback, whether personal or professional, and it has helped them overcome pain, grief and sadness,” he adds.
