Mancations
Erin Blank | 2 October 2006 |
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According to Manthropology, a Mancation is defined as:
1) Period of time where female significant other is absent, thus leaving male on his own without feeling obliged to female concerns.
2) Male-only vacation, usually with intentions to escape female significant other.
Note: this is a period that should involve take-out, canned beer and not making the bed. It is not to be confused with semi-awkward male-only fishing, hiking or camping trip where the unspoken goal is to prove manliness.
It is very important to note that a Mancation does not need to result in jail, divorce, or bodily injury. Much like the popular Girlfriend Getaway, the goal is simple, get the guys together and do “guy stuff.” In fact, many property owners started developing packages for men’s only retreats after the soaring success of the Girlfriend Getaways.
This gender-specific market is one of the travel industry’s most rapidly growing markets. According to recent research from I’m in!, Girlfriend Getaways and Mancations have the potential to generate $11 billion annually in online sales and reservations alone.
Photo: www.imin.com
What makes these packages male-specific? Testosterone-fueled activities are key in marketing a great Mancation package. Popular packages include activities ranging from beer and fishing to hand-rolled cigars and VIP access to nightclubs. Some of the more favored activities include:
- Poker Parties - In-room for a small group of friends or a planned event at a hotel or resort, both will attract men from near and far.
- Camping Trips - What could be more manly than an escape to the great outdoors drinking beer and fishing? Check with an RV rental company to avoid roughing it in a tent, or rent a cabin in the woods.
- Dude Ranches - In the early 90’s, City Slickers inspired men everywhere to get out and spend some time with the boys in the wilderness. Dude ranches are a great way to escape from every day life and play cowboy, cattle driving and all.
- Fishing Excursions - Deep sea, river, or lake fishing, there are options in virtually every U.S. locale for those on a budget. For those looking to really get away, try fly fishing in Colorado, or deep sea fishing in Mexico.
- Golf Getaways - Many men have been taking golf getaways since long before the Mancation was given a name. The word golf defines men’s only activity, its original meaning being the acronym for Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden.
- Hand-Rolled Cigars - A great accompaniment to many of the options listed above, the hand-rolled cigar gives feelings of luxury and indulgence.
- Buckets of Beer - No Mancation is complete without some great beer, and what better way to serve it than in a bucket of ice? Get some great microbrews, throw them on the back of the golf cart or next to your fishing pole, and you’re all set!
- Brewery Tours - Many hot vacation spots have local breweries. Plan a week road-tripping to visit your favorite breweries. Maybe combine a brewery tour with a sporting event or golf trip.
- Sporting Event Tickets - Don’t have a lot of time to get away? Get some friends together and fly out to your alma mater for a college game or check out your favorite pro sports team for a night out with the guys.
- Race Car Driving Classes - Speed, adrenaline, and competition. Need I say more?
- Man-Friendly Spa Treatments - Many resorts offer man-friendly spa treatments including massages, facials, and other body treatments. Give it a shot, you might like it!
- Adventure Travel - Go skydiving, white water rafting, bungee jumping, mountain biking, or hit the slopes for some extreme stress relief.
Like their female counterparts, men have a variety of interests and a variety of budgets. No matter what inspires you, there is a Mancation to accommodate! Get the guys together and create memories for stories that will be elaborated on for years to come!
Property owners, how can you benefit from this growing market? Create great lodging packages that will appeal to the Mancation market. Provide transportation to events, meals, buckets ‘o beer, and golf trips. Pair up with a local skydiving company or brewery to make planning a Mancation hassle free. Come up with some man-friendly spa packages, and provide a comfortable environment for treatments. Contact your Promotion Account Manager for more ideas or assistance in getting these ideas implemented on your website. Why not grab a piece of that $11 billion dollar market?
Erin Blank - Blizzard Internet Marketing, Inc. 
