Hunting for women tourists
We often think of hunting and fishing as male pursuits, but a recent study of visitors to Lake Waikaremoana in Te Urewera National Park showed that there may be a market for guided hunting and fishing trips for female visitors.
Image: Te Urewera Rainforest Route
The survey took place in January and February 2006, and asked visitors what activities they would be doing during their trip. Around half of the people who said they would be going hunting or fishing during their trip were women.
Some of the women who said they were going hunting or fishing were accompanying male family members or friends without actually intending to hunt or fish themselves…but others appeared really keen to go hunting or fishing.
Researchers then showed the visitors a long list of activities and asked them which ones they would be most likely to do if all those on the list were easily available in the area. This time more men than women chose hunting and fishing options, suggesting that, when given lots of choices, men are more likely to choose hunting and fishing than are women. However, around 40% of those individuals who chose at least one hunting or fishing option were women.
Image: Te Urewera Rainforest Route
Perhaps more importantly, the survey also showed that women are more likely to choose a guided trip than men. Men prefer to do things without a guide.
Therefore it looks like businesses running guided hunting and fishing trips might do well to target some trips and market specifically at women as this may be a niche market that is currently not being well catered for. These businesses may need to hunt out the women who want to go hunting
To read more about visitor activity choices and preferences check out the full study report ‘A profile of tourism in the Lake Waikaremoana region’. The report has short sections on fishing, hunting, horse trekking, kayaking, tramping and other activities as well as accommodation, transport and trip planning. It is available to download (free of charge) from here:
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