At the September (2007)GFLCVB marketing luncheon, Virginia Sheridan with M. Silver Associates, the PR firm of the GFLCVB, mentioned during her portion of the presentation that “man vacations” were a new niche market. The first thing that came to mind was a group of college frat boys jumping in the car with beer and bathing suits and coming to South Florida for spring break. I knew that couldn’t be what she meant.
Now I’d heard of “girl” vacations – especially those to a spa or featuring shopping. In fact, there are even magazines dedicated to this type of travel. Two are called, appropriately, Girlfriend Getaways and Travel Girl (among others).
It got me thinking. What exactly is the “mancation”? In fact, it has nothing to do with drunken escapades or bachelor parties or marketing to the gay market.Turns out they are guy getaways – trips for heavy-duty male bonding. Made me think of the movie “City Slickers”.
Usually the “mancation” involves either watching sports, or participating in adventure travel, or doing some activity that allows some fun and quality time with the guys. Things that they think women wouldn’t enjoy.
So, South Florida, are you looking to reach this new market niche? Have you packaged your rooms with activities like fishing or diving? There are probably more creative solutions out there. What are you doing?
Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
(Originally posted on September 27, 2007; While reading this article to re-post it, a whole topic previously not addressed came to mind: Why are they called manvacations and the female version are called girl getaways? Oh well, all new comments are welcome.)
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