Lyudmila Lykova: Women’s Expeditions Are Becoming a Restorative Format for Businesswomen

“Women who run businesses, teams, and family systems often relax in the same mode in which they work: planning, controlling, and taking responsibility for others. That is why a format where the route, logistics, service, meals, safety, and group composition are already thoughtfully arranged is especially valuable for them. On such a trip, one can finally stop being the person responsible for everything,” she said.

According to her, demand for women’s tours is driven by several trends: the growth of domestic tourism, interest in intimate formats, the development of author-designed routes, and the need for a psychologically safe environment. According to SberAnalytics, in 2025 Russians made 164 million trips within the country, with women accounting for 52.8% of domestic tourists. The Russian Union of Travel Industry also noted that 68% of solo travel bookings are made by women.

“Women’s tourism today is built not only around a beautiful route. For our audience, privacy, aesthetics, a high level of service, gastronomy, comfortable logistics, and most importantly, the feeling that the people around you share a comparable life experience are essential. In a group of 6–8 people, trust develops more quickly, making it possible to speak openly and relax without having to maintain managerial armor,” the expert noted.

Lykova added that the format of private expeditions is especially relevant for female entrepreneurs amid rising emotional strain. According to a study on entrepreneurial burnout, the rate among women reaches 59%, compared to 47% among men. Separate labor market studies also report signs of burnout in approximately every second female executive.

“When a woman lives for a long time in a state of high responsibility, an ordinary vacation often does not provide a full reset. The phone remains in hand, tasks keep catching up, and the mind continues to work. An expedition helps change not only geography but also one’s state of mind: through nature, local cuisine, silence, beautiful places, and communication among like-minded women,” she explained.

According to Lykova, compatibility among participants is particularly important in private women’s trips. “Group chemistry is sometimes more important than the route. Kamchatka, Dagestan, Altai, or any other powerful region has a deeper impact when a woman finds herself in the right environment — a place where she can exhale, be heard, and return to herself,” she said.

The “K BEREGU” project specializes in private expeditions for female entrepreneurs and executives. According to the project’s data, more than 50 such trips have been organized in recent years, and five intimate-format expeditions are planned for 2026.