A Trendsetter in Travel – Women on Wanderlust 

A few years ago I was in India and was looking for a trip to Morocco. While trying to figure out if solo travel is an option or not, I came across the Travel club called Women on Wanderlust and was very much impressed. I could see the value they are bringing to the Travel Industry & the women.

Women on Wanderlust is a women-only travel club based out of India traveling to exotic/offbeat locations, making travel simple affordable & safe.

On this international women’s day, let us get to know the woman, who has changed the landscape of travel for women in India. Ms. Sumitra Senapathy set up WoW (Women on Wanderlust) Club out of her own passion for travel. Let us hear in her own words how she got started and her plans for the future.

The Woman behind WoW Club, Ms.Sumitra Senapaty

Do you believe Traveling is different/difficult for women in general? 

Not really, I think it’s all in the mind, women are getting bold these days and venturing to travel, discover and experience, be it solo or with the security that all women group travel provides.

What are the differences that Indian women travelers face in comparison to others?

Indian women are more protected and perhaps closeted by their families, so are slightly low on the streak of adventure. But yes, I think now they are fast catching up.

How was the idea of WoW born? 

Women On Wanderlust was an idea that came to me, 14 summers ago, because I felt Indian women needed a devoted travel support system, and I was sure that once given that, they would go forth and turn their dreams into reality.  Which they did and I have never looked back since.  There was NO such platform for women at that time and there was a need for it, which I recognised and fulfilled.

What makes WoW unique from other travel companies in your view? 

WOW is a travel club for women and NOT a travel agency, this is precisely why it is so special and held in high regard from women not only in India but overseas Wanderers as well.

What were the key challenges which you faced when you transformed your passion into an entrepreneurial effort?

Basically, it fell on me to convince women that they needed their ‘me time’. That they had to personally make the effort to come out – solo in mind but to travel with the comfort and security of an all-women group. They, in turn, had to convince their families/peers/friends that this indeed was a great idea to travel with women.

From where it has started to where WoW is now, how has it evolved?

It has evolved into a WOW community of women, who are passionate and enthusiastic about traveling to all parts of the world. What started as a travel community has now evolved into a community of women who wish to connect socially and do fun things together. Like movie watching, heritage walks, wine and cheese evenings, book readings etc. We have WOW Catch Ups in three major cities of India – Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, where the Wanderers get together for WOW times and of course, planning their future travels together.

How do you choose destinations?

I used to be a travel writer before I started WOW, so pretty much have traveled to most corners of the world, offbeat places and places that provide adventure, relaxation, and rejuvenation. I am a woman myself and I know fully well what women like and want – Adventure with some amount of pampering and luxury is easily one of our popular requests from women. We love to wander to unusual destinations like Azores, Madagascar, Bolivia, Colombia, Lofoten Islands and more! Yes, we have explored many parts of Australia and New Zealand too.

What is WoW’s take on ecotourism and sustainable travel? 

We are totally for it! We wish there were better options for it though.

Do you have any future plans for WoW which you would like to share with us? 

We have recently started the WOW Catch Ups offering an alternate social platform for women. We also plan to start India’s first Bed & Breakfast, solely for women.

Are you planning to extend your demographics – single mothers with young kids, disabled women etc.

Single mothers with kids are already there and they do join us, but we are of the opinion that whenever possible, leave the kids at home with family and come out for some ‘me time’, that is essential for women in today’s world.

Do you think the advent of technology has influenced women’s travel landscape in the past few years? If so how?  

Yes to a certain extent – booking.com etc has influenced women, but the heart of hearts, women still like the personal touch, and they want to call and chat and discuss their travel plans.

What advice would you like to give our women travelers? 

Be Bold, Be Pink & Footloose, and make things happen for you because none other can #makeyourwowhappen

Dream about travel and work hard towards it.

Here’s to many more of you embarking on travel, creating communities and moving ahead!!!

Read more about WoW here