Women—young, old, single, married, and widowed are fueling an explosive growth in the travel industry. More women are traveling, for business and for pleasure.

72 million US women traveled during the past year.

Of those who currently take nature, adventure or cultural trips, 75% are women.

The average adventure traveler is not a 28-year old male, but a 47-year-old female. And she wears a size 12 dress.

Last year women spent $55-billion in Outdoor Equipment, from hiking boots to specialized bike seats designed for the female anatomy.

The number of women-only tour operators has increased 230% in the past six years.

70% of all travel decisions are made by women, regardless of who they travel with,who pays for the trip, or  where they go.

A woman is the decision maker.

70% of all travel decisions are made by women.

Excerpted from the introduction to Marybeth Bond's books and from articles she's written on the subject of women travelers.

(EL Block Creative Studios, Online PR & Marketing for Global-Dinner-Network)