Girlfriend Getaways and Women's Well-Being

Abstract

This study explored girlfriend getaways (all-women leisure-based travel), focusing on the importance and meaning of such experiences and their potential contribution to women's overall well-being. Data collection involved 11 focus groups and 15 individual interviews, resulting in a sample of 83 women from diverse backgrounds. The data were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory. The threads evident in the link between girlfriend getaways and well-being can be classified into four interrelated domains: escapism, different gender dynamics, existential authenticity, and empowerment. The women particularly noted a sense of freedom from social structures and gendered expectations. Links are made to feminist scholarship in leisure and tourism studies, and attention is drawn to the importance of all-women localized leisure spaces for empowerment and well-being.