Latest news with #CondorFerries
IOL News
21-05-2025
- IOL News
Safe, Stylish, and Solo: How Hotels Are Rethinking Travel for Women
Hotels are re-examining every touchpoint to ensure female travellers feel safe, welcome, and able to embrace the freedom of solo travel. Image: Supplied In hotels, lodges, hilltop retreats, and urban centres around the world, a quiet revolution is playing out as solo women flex their travel muscle – and impressive annual spend – to become one of the fastest growing markets in the world. 'Once seen as a niche corner of tourism, solo female travellers now represent a powerful and rapidly growing segment, with a projected global annual spend of over $125 billion,' says Antoinette Turner, General Manager Flight Centre South Africa. According to research by Condor Ferries, 84% of all solo travellers are women, the average age of a solo female traveller is 47 (but ranging in age from 18 to 80), and 83% of women travel solo to escape routine, stress and responsibilities. Turner agrees. 'Our research shows that women are more likely to say that travel is extremely important for mental health, and they're looking for authentic, enriching and community-driven adventures. But importantly, they're also more likely to prioritise safety and peace of mind.' And hotels are responding. Not only have some hotels incorporated women-only floors, but they're also re-examining every touchpoint to ensure female travellers feel safe, welcome, and able to embrace the freedom of solo travel. Safety and comfort: top priorities for solo female travellers. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ What women want From the moment a woman walks out of the airport, solo travel presents invisible vulnerabilities: getting from A to B, navigating public transport in an unfamiliar language, trusting e-hailing services, and arriving late at one's hotel or accommodation. In response, hotels and hospitality brands are starting to shift the paradigm. Many now offer pre-approved, monitored ground transport, including vetted drivers, in-car dashcams, real-time tracking, and the option to select female drivers. As Turner explains, features like well-lit entrances, female-only floors, biometric key access, and 24/7 concierge services are becoming standard at many urban and boutique properties worldwide. 'Women often request certain hotels, even certain floors and particular rooms to feel safe,' says Turner. 'But we're also seeing hotels relook their entire offering, including city guides, group tours and group activities where women can connect with like-minded individuals and immerse themselves in local life without ever comprising on safety or security.' Hilton Hotels and Resorts go a step further, by tailoring their dining options for solo travellers, including incorporating elements like an odd number of bar stools, a variety of table types, and personalised tasting options. It's all about identifying and catering to solo travellers' needs – making sure they feel 100% comfortable and at home. Tailored experiences for women are becoming the norm, offering richer and safer travel options than ever before. Image: Supplied Planning a solo trip For those setting out on their first solo journey – or their fiftieth – the balance between safety and freedom is key. Turner shares her top tips here: 1. Prioritise pre-trip planning. Research your destination's safety, cultural norms, and neighbourhoods. Choose centrally located accommodation with positive reviews from solo female travellers. 2. Focus on your first night. Book safe transport ahead of time or opt for properties offering custom transfers. Many smart hotels partner with reliable car services with safety features like live vehicle tracking and designated female drivers. Above all, says Turner, you don't want to be arriving in a new destination after dark, with no plans in place. 3. Trust your intuition. If a situation makes you uncomfortable, listen to your gut. Empowerment includes changing plans or walking away. 4. Share your itinerary. Friends or family should know where you're meant to be, where you're going and how to get in touch. 5. Look after your valuables, travel documents and personal information. Make good use of the hotel safe, consider using a bumbag to conceal your wallet and phone when out and about, and always have digital copies of your travel documents securely saved (but easily accessible). Of course, as Turner explains, going solo doesn't mean travelling in solitude (unless, of course, you want to). 'Social travel can be the biggest adventure,' says Turner. 'Especially if you tap into local events, join group tours or activities, and research some really different experiences.' The future of female travel Today's solo female traveller isn't just a backpacker on a gap year – she's a professional, a mother, a retiree, an adventurer. And she's setting new standards for hotels and operators. With the hospitality world taking notice, tailored experiences for women are becoming the norm, not the exception. From hi-tech features to heartfelt human connection, new travel models are offering something richer – and safer – than ever before. Ready to plan your next getaway? Contact your expert travel advisor at Flight Centre today.
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey fast ferry to be tested ahead of service launch
A fast ferry service in Jersey will be undergo trials on Friday ahead of sailings from Saturday, DFDS has Tarifa Jet was meant to come into service on 28 March but the first sailing was cancelled due to technical issues."Our fast ferry will be serving the St Malo route, which frees the Stena Vinga to serve our northern routes to Portsmouth and Poole," said a has been relying on the slower Stena Vinga to take passengers between Jersey and St Malo. DFDS took over the service in March from previous operator Condor Ferries, which had run the service for 60 years."It's been invaluable to us that the Cote D'Albatre has been servicing our Portsmouth route for the week while the Tarifa Jet completed maintenance," said DFDS."We'd like to thank customers for their patience, and we can't wait to welcome them on board."
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey fast ferry ready for sailing on Saturday
A fast ferry service in Jersey will be ready for sailings from Saturday after experiencing delays, DFDS has Tarifa Jet was meant to come into service on 28 March but the first sailing was cancelled due to technical has been relying on the slower Stena Vinga to take passengers between Jersey and St Malo. The company said it had been waiting for the UK maritime agency to approve its use. Schedule changes DFDS took over the service in March from previous operator Condor Ferries, which had run the service for 60 Tarifa Jet has been undergoing a refit in Portland in preparation for its new the delay has caused cancellations to trips to France and changes to the Portsmouth sailing schedule. DFDS said it had been making "temporary schedule changes" ahead of Saturday's launch of the Tarifa said the Stena Vinga would operate on the Jersey-St Malo route with up to two return sailings daily, while the Côte d'Albâtre would continue on the Jersey to Portsmouth route with a slight timetable customers would be "rebooked automatically and contacted directly", said DFDS.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Technical issues delay fast ferry launch to St Malo
Ferry operator DFDS said its fast ferry, the Tarifa Jet, will not enter service until next week. The ferry was due to start taking passengers to St Malo last Friday when the Danish firm took over Jersey's sailings but journeys were cancelled due to technical issues. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the vessel is undergoing surveys for the issue of a passenger certificate. Chris Parker, DFDS Route Director for Jersey, said: "I'm sorry that we have to make these changes to the schedule" and added an alternative ferry would be in operation. DFDS took over the service in March from previous operator Condor Ferries, which ran the service for 60 years. The Tarifa Jet has been undergoing a refit in Portland to prepare for the new service. DFDS said the Stena Vinga ferry will operate the route to France from Thursday to Monday, with up to two rotations daily to accommodate all passengers. The company said customers with existing bookings would be contacted with details of the changes to the schedule and alternative options. Services between Jersey and Portsmouth would be operated on a replacement vessel, with no changes to the schedule. DFDS apologised for the inconvenience to passengers at the start of the Easter holidays. Mr Parker said: "As we eagerly await the Tarifa Jet to come into service, we want to make sure that passengers are able to travel with as little disruption as possible. "I'm sorry that we have to make these changes to the schedule for this weekend and I would like to thank islanders for their continued patience with us." Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Ferry firm's first scheduled sailing cancelled DFDS takes over ferry routes to and from Jersey Jersey picks DFDS to provide ferry services
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Technical issues delay fast ferry launch to St Malo
Ferry operator DFDS said its fast ferry, the Tarifa Jet, will not enter service until next ferry was due to start taking passengers to St Malo last Friday when the Danish firm took over Jersey's sailings but journeys were cancelled due to technical Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the vessel is undergoing surveys for the issue of a passenger Parker, DFDS Route Director for Jersey, said: "I'm sorry that we have to make these changes to the schedule" and added an alternative ferry would be in operation. DFDS took over the service in March from previous operator Condor Ferries, which ran the service for 60 Tarifa Jet has been undergoing a refit in Portland to prepare for the new said the Stena Vinga ferry will operate the route to France from Thursday to Monday, with up to two rotations daily to accommodate all passengers. The company said customers with existing bookings would be contacted with details of the changes to the schedule and alternative between Jersey and Portsmouth would be operated on a replacement vessel, with no changes to the apologised for the inconvenience to passengers at the start of the Easter Parker said: "As we eagerly await the Tarifa Jet to come into service, we want to make sure that passengers are able to travel with as little disruption as possible."I'm sorry that we have to make these changes to the schedule for this weekend and I would like to thank islanders for their continued patience with us."
